Dispatch | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Dis-pătch′, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. DISPATCHED; p. pr. & vb. n. DISPATCHING.] [Fr. dépêcher, O. Fr. despecher, Sp. & Pg. despachar, It. dispacciare, spacciare, spicciare, from Lat. prefix dis and pan-gere, pactum, to fasten, fix, settle.]

Sense 1. To send off on a special errand of importance, usually in haste.

Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the emperor’s court. Shak.

Sense 2. To get rid of by sending off; to put out of the way; especially, to put to death; to kill.

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

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

Sense 3. To dispose of, as business; to perform; to execute speedily.

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

Sense 4. To rid; to free. [Obs.]

I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge. Udal.

Synonyms—To expedite; hasten; speed; accelerate; perform; conclude; finish; slay; kill.

Dis-pătch', v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of business. They have dispatched with Pompey. Shak.

Dis-pătch', n.

noun

n. [Fr. dépêche, Sp. & Pg. despacho, It. dispaccio, spaccio. See supra.]

Sense 1. The sending of a messenger in haste or on important business; expedition.

Sense 2. Any sending away; dismissal; riddance.

To the utter dispatche of all their most beloved comforts. Milton.

Sense 3. Rapid performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste. “With all swift dispatch.” Shak.

Sense 4. A message which is dispatched or sent off; 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; a dispatch was immediately sent to the admiral; telegraphic dispatches.

Synonyms— Haste; hurry; promptness; celerity; speed. See HASTE.