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dispatch

or des·patch

[dih-spach]
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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.
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verb (used without object)
  1. Archaic. to hasten; be quick.
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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.
  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.
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Idioms
  1. mentioned in dispatches, British. honored by being named in official military reports for special bravery or acts of service.
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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
Related formsout·dis·patch, verb (used with object)pre·dis·patch, noun, verb (used with object)re·dis·patch, verb (used with object)self-dis·patch, nounun·dis·patched, adjectiveun·dis·patch·ing, adjective

Synonyms

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9. rapidity, haste, alacrity, celerity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

instructionbulletinmissiveshipdismissdestroyeliminatehustlecelerityrustleexpeditionalacrityquicknesshastespeedinesshurryswiftnessrapiditypromptnesspromptitude

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British Dictionary definitions for dispatch

dispatch

despatch

verb (tr)
  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
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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
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Derived Formsdispatcher, noun

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for dispatch

v.

1510s, "to send off in a hurry," from a word in Spanish (despachar "expedite, hasten") or Italian (dispacciare "to dispatch"). For first element, see dis-. The exact source of the second element has been proposed as Vulgar Latin *pactare "to fasten, fix" or *pactiare, or as Latin -pedicare "to entrap" (from Latin pedica "shackle;" see impeach); and the Spanish and Italian words seem to be related to (perhaps opposites of) Old Provençal empachar "impede." See OED for full discussion. Meaning "to get rid of by killing" is attested from 1520s. Related: Dispatched; dispatching. As a noun, from 1540s, originally "dismissal;" sense of "a message sent speedily" is first attested 1580s.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper