Missive \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Missive \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)