Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Dispatch
Dis-patch′
(?; 224)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Dispatched
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Dispatching
.] [OF.
despeechier
, F. dépêcher
; 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,
The business we have talked of.
dispatch
weThe business we have talked of.
Shakespeare
[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
I will
dispatch
him to the emperor's cou[GREEK][GREEK]. Shakespeare
5.
To send out of the world; to put to death.
Syn. – To expedite; hasten; speed; accelerate; perform; conclude; finish; slay; kill.
Dis-patch′
,Verb.
I.
To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of business.
They have
dispatched
with Pompey. Shakespeare
Dis-patch′
,Noun.
[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
. Shakespeare
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]
Syn. – Haste; hurry; promptness; celerity; speed. See
Haste
. Webster 1828 Edition
Dispatch
DISPATCH
,Verb.
T.
1.
To send or send away; particularly applied to the sending of messengers, agents and letters on special business, and often implying haste. The king dispatched and envoy to the court of Madrid. He dispatched a messenger to his envoy in France. He dispatched orders or letters to the commander of the forces in Spain. The president dispatched a special envoy to the court of St. James in 1794.2.
To send out of the world; to put to death.The company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords. Ezekiel 23.
3.
To perform; to execute speedily; to finish; as, the business was dispatched in due time.DISPATCH
,Verb.
I.
They have dispatched with Pompey.
DISPATCH
,Noun.
1.
Speedy performance; execution or transaction of business with due diligence.2.
Speed; haste; expedition; due diligence; as, the business was done with dispatch; go, but make dispatch.3.
Conduct; management. [Not used.]4.
A letter sent or to be sent with expedition, by a messenger express; or a letter on some affair of state, or of public concern; or a packet of letters, sent by some public officer, on public business. It is often used in the plural. A vessel or a messenger has arrived with dispatches for the American minister. A dispatch was immediately sent to the admiral. The secretary was preparing his dispatches.