a. [ad. F. épistolaire, ad. L. epistolāris, f. epistola EPISTLE.]
1. Of or pertaining to letters or letter-writing.
1656. Blount, Glossogr.
1682. Dryden, Relig. Laici, Pref. The style of them [the verses] is, what it ought to be, epistolary.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 87, ¶ 2. The Rules of Epistolary Writing.
1730. Swift’s Corr., Wks. 1841, II. 636. I seek no epistolary fame.
1780. Cowper, Lett., 16 March. I saw the reason of your epistolary brevity.
1852. Miss Mitford, in L’Estrange, Life, III. xiii. 231. My excellent little maid … has every talent except the talent epistolary.
b. absol.
1812. Examiner, 29 Nov., 753/1. Your Royal Highness stands upon record … for your love of the epistolary.
2. Contained in letters; of the nature of letters; carried on by letters.
1706. H. Dodwell (title), An Epistolary Discourse, proving from the Scriptures … that the Soul is a Principle naturally Mortal.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 511, ¶ 1. I do intend to continue my epistolary correspondence with thee.
a. 1826. T. Jefferson, in Sir J. Sinclair’s Corr. (1831), II. 48. I recall … the days of our former intercourse, personal and epistolary.
1880. E. White, Cert. Relig., 52. In the epistolary portions of the New Testament, written by the Apostles.
3. Of or pertaining to an ‘epistle dedicatory.’
1681. T. Manningham, Disc., 63 (T.). Scarce allowing the Author one Epistolary Complement.
a. 1764. Lloyd, Poems, On Rhyme. Or with epistolary bow, Have prefac’d, as I scarce know how.
4. Pertaining to ‘the epistle’ read in the Communion Service.
1722. Enq. Complutens. Ed. New Test, in Somers, Tracts, II. 490. The Church of England has … prescrib’d the publick Reading of it in one of her Epistolary Sections.
