GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 3 definitions

  1.       
    
    Despatch , n. & v. Same as Dispatch.
    1913 Webster
  2.       
    
    Dispatch , v. 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.
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      Ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we
      The business we have talked of.
      Shak.

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

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    2. To rid; to free. [Obs.]
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      I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge.
      Udall.

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    3. To get rid of by sending off; to send away hastily.
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      Unless dispatched to the mansion house in the country . . . they perish among the lumber of garrets.
      Walpole.

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    4. To send off or away; -- particularly applied to sending off messengers, messages, letters, etc., on special business, and implying haste.
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      Even with the speediest expedition
      I will dispatch him to the emperor's cou.
      Shak.

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

  3.       
    
    Dispatch, n. [Cf. OF. despeche, F. dépêche. See Dispatch, v. t.] [Written also despatch.]
    1. The act of sending a message or messenger in haste or on important business.
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    2. Any sending away; dismissal; riddance.
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      To the utter dispatch of all their most beloved comforts.
      Milton.

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    3. The finishing up of a business; speedy performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste.
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      Serious business, craving quick dispatch.
      Shak.

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

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