dispatch

or des·patch

[ dih-spach ]

verb (used with object)

1. to send off or away with speed, as a messenger, telegram, body of troops, etc.
2. to dismiss (a person), as after an audience.
3. to put to death; kill:

   The spy was promptly dispatched.

4. to transact or dispose of (a matter) promptly or speedily.

verb (used without object)

1. Archaic. to hasten; be quick.

noun

1. the sending off of a messenger, letter, etc., to a destination.
2. the act of putting to death; killing; execution.
3. prompt or speedy transaction, as of business.
4. expeditious performance; promptness or speed:

   Proceed with all possible dispatch.

   Synonyms: celerity, alacrity, haste, rapidity

5. Commerce.
   1. a method of effecting a speedy delivery of goods, money, etc.
   2. a conveyance or organization for the expeditious transmission of goods, money, etc.
6. a written message sent with speed.
7. an official communication sent by special messenger.
8. Journalism. a news story transmitted to a newspaper, wire service, or the like, by one of its reporters, or by a wire service to a newspaper or other news agency.

dispatch

/ dɪˈspætʃ /

verb

1. to send off promptly, as to a destination or to perform a task
2. to discharge or complete (a task, duty, etc) promptly
3. informal.
   to eat up quickly
4. to murder or execute

noun

1. the act of sending off a letter, messenger, etc
2. prompt action or speed (often in the phrase with dispatch )
3. an official communication or report, sent in haste
4. journalism a report sent to a newspaper, etc, by a correspondent
5. murder or execution

Derived Forms

• disˈpatcher, noun

Other Words From

• outdis·patch verb (used with object)
• predis·patch noun verb (used with object)
• redis·patch verb (used with object)
• self-dis·patch noun
• undis·patched adjective
• undis·patching adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispatch¹

1510–20; < Italian dispacciare to hasten, speed, or < Spanish despachar both ultimately < Old French despeechier to unshackle, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + -peechier < Late Latin -pedicāre to shackle; impeach

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispatch¹

C16: from Italian dispacciare, from Provençal despachar, from Old French despeechier to set free, from des- dis- ¹+ -peechier, ultimately from Latin pedica a fetter

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. mentioned in dispatches, British. honored by being named in official military reports for special bravery or acts of service.

Example Sentences

What got leaked to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on October 22?

From The Daily Beast

Det. Johnson left in an elevator and I found myself alone in the building, save two women in the dispatch center.

From The Daily Beast

He presumably felt he owed it to himself to make one more visit to hell and report back with a cliché-busting dispatch.

From The Daily Beast

And a recording of the police dispatch seems to blow the case to bits.

From The Daily Beast

He initially sent that letter to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

From The Daily Beast

The Colonel read the dispatch of Captain Duffield, sitting on his bed in his nightclothes.

From Project Gutenberg

The Weekly Dispatch's accounts of the next world are well worth staying alive for.

From Project Gutenberg

I am pushing the smiths as hard as possible, and you must do the same at your works, that the greatest dispatch may be made.

From Project Gutenberg

If the offeree sent a telegram, then he would be obliged to prove the delivery of the dispatch.

From Project Gutenberg

Before leaving Verdun he had seen Pierrepont enter the telegraph bureau—to dispatch a message to the Sûreté, without a doubt.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dismiss
• ship