Mis"sive (?), a. [See Missive, n.]
1.
Specially sent; intended or prepared to be sent; as, a letter missive.
Ayliffe.
2.
Missile.
"The
missive weapons fly."
Dryden.
Letters missive, letters conveying the permission, comand, or advice of a superior authority, as a sovereign. They are addressed and sent to some certain person or persons, and are distinguished from letters patent, which are addressed to the public.
© Webster 1913.
Mis"sive, n. [F. lettre missive. See Mission, n.]
1.
That which is sent; a writing containing a message.
2.
One who is sent; a messenger.
[Obs.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913.