Dictionary

pistle en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈpɪsl̩/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈpɪs(ə)l/ (General-American)

Etymology

The noun is derived from Middle English pistel, pistle (“letter; epistle”) [and other forms], from Old English pistol (“letter, epistle”), an aphetic form of epistol, epistola, from Latin epistola (“letter, epistle; literary work in letter form”): see further at epistle. The verb is derived from the noun. Cognates Scots pistil, pistle

Meanings

1. (archaic, obsolete) Synonym of epistle.
   • when they were departed / they cam to Antioche and gaddred the multitude togedder and delivered the piſtle. 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Acts xv:[30], folio clxxvij, verso:
2. (obsolete) A story conveyed verbally.

Forms

Synonyms

epistle

pistle en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˈpɪsl̩/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈpɪs(ə)l/ (General-American)

Etymology

The noun is derived from Middle English pistel, pistle (“letter; epistle”) [and other forms], from Old English pistol (“letter, epistle”), an aphetic form of epistol, epistola, from Latin epistola (“letter, epistle; literary work in letter form”): see further at epistle. The verb is derived from the noun. Cognates Scots pistil, pistle

Meanings

1. (obsolete, rare, transitive) To write about (someone or something) in, or in the form of, a letter.

Forms