What does epistolical mean?
"Epistolical" is an adjective describing anything connected with the writing of letters or with correspondence itself — an epistolical style, for instance, is one suited to letters, often intimate, reflective, and conversational in tone. The word is essentially a rarer variant of "epistolary," which is the standard term in modern usage; today "epistolical" survives mainly in older texts, scholarly discussions of literary history, and writing that deliberately adopts an antique flavor. Both words trace back to the Greek "epistolē," meaning letter, which passed into Latin as "epistola" before entering English. Because letter-writing has largely given way to email and messaging, both adjectives now carry a distinctly literary or historical air, most often appearing in phrases like "an epistolical novel," where a story is told entirely through characters' letters. Readers who encounter "epistolical" should understand it as fully interchangeable in meaning with "epistolary," though they would rarely choose it themselves except for stylistic effect.
adjectiveRelating to the writing of letters or to correspondence; of the nature of a letter or letters. It is now chiefly a rarer variant of the more common word "epistolary."
- Relating to letters or letter-writing; characteristic of or contained in correspondence.
"Her epistolical style was so vivid that reading her correspondence felt like overhearing a conversation."
"The novel unfolds through a series of epistolical exchanges between two estranged sisters."
"His epistolical habits were legendary; hardly a day passed without a carefully composed letter to a friend."
"Epistolical" is the forgotten twin of "epistolary" — a word from the age of quill pens that has all but vanished from modern dictionaries.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of epistolical
"Epistolical" derives from the Greek "epistolē" (letter), formed from "epistellein" (to send to), which combines "epi-" (to) with "stellein" (to send). The word entered English through Latin "epistola" and its Late Latin and Old French descendants, appearing as an adjective alongside "epistolary," which remains the dominant form. Its formation parallels other Latinate adjectives in "-ical." The same Greek verb also underlies "apostle," literally "one sent forth."
How epistolical is actually used
"Epistolical" is rare and somewhat archaic; "epistolary" is strongly preferred in contemporary English. When "epistolical" does appear, it tends to occur in historical, literary-critical, or deliberately old-fashioned contexts.
Easily confused with epistolical
"Epistolary" is the standard modern adjective for anything relating to letters or letter-writing, while "epistolical" is an older, much rarer variant of the same word.
"Apostolic" relates to the apostles or their teachings, whereas "epistolical" relates to letters and correspondence.