dispatch definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms of dispatch

address, consign, forward, route, ship, transmit, devour, eat up, carry off, cut down, cut off, destroy

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7 dictionary results for: dispatch

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·patch

[di-spach] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object)

1.	to send off or away with speed, as a messenger, telegram, body of troops, etc.

2.	to dismiss (a person), as after an audience.

3.	to put to death; kill: The spy was promptly dispatched.

4.	to transact or dispose of (a matter) promptly or speedily.

–verb (used without object)

5.	Archaic. to hasten; be quick.

–noun

6.	the sending off of a messenger, letter, etc., to a destination.

7.	the act of putting to death; killing; execution.

8.	prompt or speedy transaction, as of business.

9.	expeditious performance; promptness or speed: Proceed with all possible dispatch.

10.

Commerce.

a.	a method of effecting a speedy delivery of goods, money, etc.

b.	a conveyance or organization for the expeditious transmission of goods, money, etc.

11.	a written message sent with speed.

12.	an official communication sent by special messenger.

13.	Journalism. a news story transmitted to a newspaper, wire service, or the like, by one of its reporters, or by a wire service to a newspaper or other news agency.

—Idiom

14.	mentioned in dispatches, British. honored by being named in official military reports for special bravery or acts of service.

Also, despatch.

[Origin: 1510–20; < It dispacciare to hasten, speed, or < Sp despachar both ult. < OF despeechier to unshackle, equiv. to des- dis-¹ + -peechier < LL -pedicāre to shackle; see impeach

]

—Synonyms 9. rapidity, haste, alacrity, celerity.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·patch also des·patch (dĭ-spāch') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. dis·patched also des·patched, dis·patch·ing also des·patch·ing, dis·patch·es also des·patch·es

To relegate to a specific destination or send on specific business. See Synonyms at send¹.
1. To complete, transact, or dispose of promptly.
2. To eat up (food); finish off (a dish or meal).
To put to death summarily.

The act of sending off, as to a specific destination.
Dismissal or rejection of something regarded as unimportant or unworthy of consideration: "[his] breezy dispatch of another Establishment fiction writer" (Christopher Hitchens).
The act of putting to death.
Speed in performance or movement. See Synonyms at haste.
also (dĭs'pāch')
1. A written message, particularly an official communication, sent with speed.
2. An important message sent by a diplomat or an officer in the armed forces.
also (dĭs'pāch') A news item sent to a news organization, as by a correspondent.
An organization or conveyance for delivering goods.

[Spanish despachar or Italian dispacciare, both probably ultimately from Old Provençal empachar, to impede, from Vulgar Latin *impāctāre, frequentative of Latin impingere, to dash against; see impinge.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
dispatch

1517, "to send off in a hurry," from Sp. despacher "expedite, hasten," probably opposite of O.Prov. empachar "impede," either from Gallo-Romance *impactare, frequentative of L. pingere "dash against," or ult. from L. pedica "shackle" (see impeach). Meaning "to get rid of by killing" is attested from 1530. Noun sense of "a message sent speedily" is first attested 1582.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

dispatch
noun
1.	an official report (usually sent in haste)
2.	the act of sending off something
3.	the property of being prompt and efficient; "it was done with dispatch"
4.	killing a person or animal
verb
1.	send away towards a designated goal
2.	complete or carry out; "discharge one's duties"
3.	kill intentionally and with premeditation; "The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered" [syn: murder]
4.	dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently; "He dispatched the task he was assigned"
5.	kill without delay; "the traitor was dispatched by the conspirators"

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dispatch

Dis*patch"\ (?; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dispatched; p. pr. & vb. n. Dispatching.] [OF. despeechier, F. d['e]p[^e]cher; prob. from pref. des- (L. dis-) + (assumed) LL. pedicare to place obstacles in the way, fr. L. pedica fetter, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Impeach, Despatch.] [Written also despatch.]

1. To dispose of speedily, as business; to execute quickly; to make a speedy end of; to finish; to perform.

Ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we The business we have talked of. --Shak.

[The] harvest men . . . almost in one fair day dispatcheth all the harvest work. --Robynson (More's Utopia).

2. To rid; to free. [Obs.]

I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge. --Udall.

3. To get rid of by sending off; to send away hastily.

Unless dispatched to the mansion house in the country . . . they perish among the lumber of garrets. --Walpole.

4. To send off or away; -- particularly applied to sending off messengers, messages, letters, etc., on special business, and implying haste.

Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the emperor's cou??. --Shak.

5. To send out of the world; to put to death.

The company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords. --Ezek. xxiii. 47.

Syn: To expedite; hasten; speed; accelerate; perform; conclude; finish; slay; kill.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dispatch

Dis*patch"\, v. i. To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of business.

They have dispatched with Pompey. --Shak.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Dispatch

Dis*patch"\, n. [Cf. OF. despeche, F. d['e]p[^e]che. See Dispatch, v. t.] [Written also despatch.]

1. The act of sending a message or messenger in haste or on important business.

2. Any sending away; dismissal; riddance.

To the utter dispatch of all their most beloved comforts. --Milton.

3. The finishing up of a business; speedy performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste.

Serious business, craving quick dispatch. --Shak.

To carry his scythe . . . with a sufficient dispatch through a sufficient space. --Paley.

4. A message dispatched or sent with speed; especially, an important official letter sent from one public officer to another; -- often used in the plural; as, a messenger has arrived with dispatches for the American minister; naval or military dispatches.

5. A message transmitted by telegraph. [Modern]

Dispatch boat, a swift vessel for conveying dispatches; an advice boat.

Dispatch box, a box for carrying dispatches; a box for papers and other conveniences when traveling.

Syn: Haste; hurry; promptness; celerity; speed. See Haste.

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