Epistle

(e-pĭs'l), n. [Lat. epistola, from Gr. ἐπιστολή, any thing sent by a messenger, message, letter, from ἐπιστέλλειν, to send to, tell by letter or message, from ἐπί and στέλλειν, to dispatch, send; Sp., Pg., & It. epistola, Pr. pistola.] A writing directed or sent to a person at a distance; a letter; a letter missive.