1. Hist. A letter from the king (or queen) to the dean and chapter of a cathedral, containing the name of the person whom the king wants elected as bishop.
2. Hist. After a lawsuit is filed against a peer, peeress, or lord of Parliament, a request sent to the defendant to appear and answer the suit.
3. Civil law. The appellate record sent by a lower court to a superior court. — Also termed letter dimissory.
