Nearby Words
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.
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Dispatches
is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
noun
Idiom6.
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.
EXPANDCommerce.
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.
COLLAPSEJournalism. 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.
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; < Italian dispacciare to hasten, speed, or < Spanish despachar both ultimately < Old French despeechier to unshackle, equivalent to des- dis-1 + -peechier < Late Latin -pedicāre to shackle; see impeach
1510–20; < Italian dispacciare to hasten, speed, or < Spanish despachar both ultimately < Old French despeechier to unshackle, equivalent to des- dis-1 + -peechier < Late Latin -pedicāre to shackle; see impeach
Related forms
out·dis·patch, verb (used with object)
pre·dis·patch, noun, verb (used with object)
re·dis·patch, verb (used with object)
self-dis·patch, noun
un·dis·patched, adjective
EXPANDun·dis·patch·ing, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
9. rapidity, haste, alacrity, celerity.
9. rapidity, haste, alacrity, celerity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To dispatches
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
dispatch
1510s, "to send off in a hurry," from Sp. despachar "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
EXPANDby killing" is attested from 1520s. Noun sense of "a message sent speedily" is first attested 1580s. Related: Dispatched; dispatcher.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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