dis|patch

dis|patch «dihs PACH», verb, noun.

–v.t.

1. to send off to some place or for some purpose: »

to dispatch a telegram. The captain dispatched a boat to bring a doctor on board ship.

2. to get (something) done promptly or speedily: »

The teacher dispatched the roll call and began the lesson.

SYNONYM(S): settle, conclude.

3. to give the death blow to; kill: »

He dispatched the deer with his first shot.

4. Informal. to finish off; eat up: »

The hungry boy quickly dispatched the meal.

5. to dispose of; get rid of: »

The housewife dispatched the salesman. He started predicting the round in which he would dispatch each opponent (New Yorker).

–v.i.

1. Archaic. to hasten away; make haste: »

Butler Gilbert, dispatch, thou knave (Scott).

2. Obsolete. to conclude an affair or business.

–n.

1. a sending off (of a letter or messenger) to some place or for some purpose: »

Please hurry up the dispatch of this telegram. There are periods best suited to the dispatch of a probe to Mars (Walter Sullivan).

2. a written message, such as special news or government business: »

This dispatch has been two days on the way. The correspondent rushed dispatches to his newspaper in New York about the fire in Paris.

3. promptness in doing something; speed: »

The boys worked with neatness and dispatch.

SYNONYM(S): haste, expedition.

4. a putting to death; a killing: »

The Japanese are…taught…the science…or accomplishment of “Happy Dispatch” (London Times).

5. an agency for conveying goods: »

The package was sent by dispatch.

6. Obsolete. dismissal; discharge. Also, despatch.

╂[< Italian dispacciare hasten, or Spanish despachar < dis- not (< Latin dis-) + empachar impede, perhaps < Late Latin impedicāre hinder < in- (intensive) + pedica snare < pēs, pedis foot]