epistolarian

An epistolarian writes a long letter by candlelight.

Definition

Noun: An epistolarian is a person who writes letters, especially in a literary context or as a form of artistic expression.

Adjective: Relating to or characteristic of letter writing or correspondence.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The famous novelist was a prolific epistolarian, corresponding with dozens of fellow writers. (He wrote many letters.)
  • As an epistolarian, she preserved a rich record of 19th-century social life. (She was a dedicated letter writer.)

• Adjective:

  • Her epistolarian style gave the novel an intimate, personal tone. (Her writing style was like that of a letter writer.)
  • The archive contains a vast epistolarian collection from the Victorian era. (The collection consists of letters.)

Advanced Usage

• "Epistolarian tradition": the cultural or literary practice of writing letters.

  • The epistolarian tradition flourished before the age of email. (Letter writing was a common and valued practice.)

• "Epistolarian exchange": a series of letters between two or more people.

  • Their epistolarian exchange lasted over thirty years. (They corresponded by letter for decades.)

Variants and Related Words

• Epistolary (adj): relating to the writing of letters.

  • The novel is written in epistolary form. (It consists of letters.)

• Epistolary novel (n): a novel told through letters.

  • "Dracula" uses an epistolary structure. (The story is presented as a series of letters and diary entries.)

Synonyms

• Correspondent: a person who writes letters.
• Letter writer: a person who composes and sends letters.
• Pen pal: a person with whom one exchanges letters, often as a hobby.

Related Idioms

• "Take pen in hand": to begin writing a letter.

  • He took pen in hand and wrote to his old friend. (He started composing a letter.)

• "By letter": through written correspondence.

  • They communicated by letter for years. (They wrote to each other.)