GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   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.]
   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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   To rid; to free. [Obs.]
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   I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge.
   Udall.
   
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   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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   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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   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.
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2.       
   Dispatch, v. i. To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of business.
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   They have dispatched with Pompey.
   Shak.
   
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3.       
   Dispatch, n. [Cf. OF. despeche, F. dépêche. See Dispatch, v. t.] [Written also despatch.]
   The act of sending a message or messenger in haste or on important business.
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   Any sending away; dismissal; riddance.
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   To the utter dispatch of all their most beloved comforts.
   Milton.
   
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   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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   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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   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.
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