dispatch

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: despatchcommuniqueshipmentexpeditionexpeditiousnesssend offdischargecompletemurderslayhitbump off

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. an official report (usually sent in haste)Synonyms: despatchcommunique
  2. the act of sending off somethingSynonyms: despatchshipment
  3. the property of being prompt and efficient“it was done with dispatch”Synonyms: despatchexpeditionexpeditiousness
  4. killing a person or animalSynonyms: despatch

Verb (5)

  1. send away towards a designated goalSynonyms: despatchsend off
  2. complete or carry out“discharge one's duties”Synonyms: dischargecomplete
  3. kill intentionally and with premeditation“The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered”Synonyms: murderslayhitbump offoffpolish offremove
  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 Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

Ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we The business we have talked of.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
[The] harvest men . . . almost in one fair day dispatcheth all the harvest work.— Robynson (More's Utopia).[1913 Webster]

2.To rid; to free. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge.— Udall.[1913 Webster]

3.To get rid of by sending off; to send away hastily. [1913 Webster]

Unless dispatched to the mansion house in the country . . . they perish among the lumber of garrets.— Walpole.[1913 Webster]

4.To send off or away; -- particularly applied to sending off messengers, messages, letters, etc., on special business, and implying haste. [1913 Webster]

Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the emperor's cou??.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

5.To send out of the world; to put to death. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Dispatch \Dis*patch"\, v. i. To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of business. [1913 Webster]

They have dispatched with Pompey. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

2.Any sending away; dismissal; riddance. [1913 Webster]

To the utter dispatch of all their most beloved comforts.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

3.The finishing up of a business; speedy performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste. [1913 Webster]

Serious business, craving quick dispatch.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
To carry his scythe . . . with a sufficient dispatch through a sufficient space.— Paley.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

5.A message transmitted by telegraph. [Modern] [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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