"book containing all the liturgical forms necessary for celebrating the Mass through the year," c. 1300, from Old French messel "book of the Mass" (12c.) and directly from Medieval Latin missale, neuter of adjective missalis "pertaining to the Mass," from Late Latin missa "Mass" (see mass (n.2)). As an adjective, "pertaining to the Mass or Mass-book," from mid-15c.