† pistelarien.

Etymology: In Old English either shortened < post-classical Latin epistolarium (see epistolar n.), or aphetic < an unattested Old English *epistelari ( < post-classical Latin epistolarium ). In Middle English likewise either shortened < post-classical Latin epistolarium, or aphetic < an apparently unattested Middle English epistolarie (see quot. 1618 at epistolar n. for a possible attestation in an early modern copy of a Middle English document). Compare pistle n.Apparently re-formed in the 15th cent.; there is unlikely to be continuity of use with the Old English