despatch

[ dih-spach ]

/ dɪˈspætʃ /

verb (used with or without object), noun

Nearby words

desoximetasone, desoxy-, despair, despairing, despairingly, despatch, despeciation, despenser, desperado, desperate, desperately

Related formsout·des·patch, verb (used with object)un·des·patched, adjective

Definition for despatch (2 of 2)

dispatch

or des·patch

[ dih-spach ]

/ dɪˈspætʃ /

verb (used with object)

to send off or away with speed, as a messenger, telegram, body of troops, etc.

to dismiss (a person), as after an audience.

to put to death; kill: The spy was promptly dispatched.

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

verb (used without object)

Archaic. to hasten; be quick.

noun

the sending off of a messenger, letter, etc., to a destination.

the act of putting to death; killing; execution.

prompt or speedy transaction, as of business.

expeditious performance; promptness or speed: Proceed with all possible dispatch.

Commerce.

a method of effecting a speedy delivery of goods, money, etc.
a conveyance or organization for the expeditious transmission of goods, money, etc.

a written message sent with speed.

an official communication sent by special messenger.

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.

Origin of dispatch

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; see impeach

SYNONYMS FOR dispatch

9 rapidity, haste, alacrity, celerity.

Related forms

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, adjectiveun·dis·patch·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for despatch

Frontenac defines his position and raises a note of alarm in his very first despatch to the minister for the colonies.
Count Frontenac|William Dawson LeSueur
The despatch of the Salonika force and their outfit are absorbing all my energies.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume 2|Ian Hamilton
The despatch has not yet arrived, but I fear that the ambassador has died, for he was very ill at Nangasaque.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898|E. H. Blair
Lebrun's missives of 20th December bore fruit seven days later in Chauvelin's despatch to Grenville.
William Pitt and the Great War|John Holland Rose

This morning I received your letter and despatch of the 3rd and 4th instant, and soon after, the enclosed note from Townshend.
Memoirs of the Courts and Cabinets of George the Third|The Duke of Buckingham and Chandos

British Dictionary definitions for despatch (1 of 2)

despatch

/ (dɪˈspætʃ) /

verb

(tr) a less common spelling of dispatch

Derived Formsdespatcher, noun

British Dictionary definitions for despatch (2 of 2)

dispatch

despatch

/ (dɪˈspætʃ) /

verb (tr)

to send off promptly, as to a destination or to perform a task

to discharge or complete (a task, duty, etc) promptly

informal to eat up quickly

to murder or execute

noun

the act of sending off a letter, messenger, etc

prompt action or speed (often in the phrase with dispatch)

an official communication or report, sent in haste

journalism a report sent to a newspaper, etc, by a correspondent

murder or execution

Derived Formsdispatcher, noun

Word Origin for dispatch

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012