dispatch
or des·patch
- 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.
- Archaic. to hasten; be quick.
- 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.
- mentioned in dispatches, British. honored by being named in official military reports for special bravery or acts of service.
Origin of dispatch
Synonyms for dispatch
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for dispatched
ship, dismiss, destroy, eliminate, issue, route, express, remit, consign, transmit, accelerate, address, forward, railroad, hasten, speed, quicken, devour, conclude, performExamples from the Web for dispatched
Contemporary Examples of dispatched
In 1970, Hunter S. Thompson was dispatched to report on a motorcycle race in Las Vegas.
Sneer and Clothing in Miami: Inside The $3 Billion Woodstock of Contemporary ArtJay Michaelson
December 6, 2014
He also claimed that the CIA had dispatched a clone of himself to Foxcatcher Farm to kill Schultz.
Kremlin officials deny they dispatched any column across the border on Thursday, slamming the allegation as fantasy.
It was very hard to see all my friends be dispatched to cover this breaking news story.
Soledad O'Brien's Next Chapter: 'The War Comes Home,' Her CNN Departure, and the State of NewsMarlow Stern
August 13, 2014
Iran is already said to have dispatched small military units to Baghdad.
Historical Examples of dispatched
The moment she had dispatched her letter, she set out to visit her poor friends.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
Cheppi, however, was dispatched to the barn, and the two others ran after him.
Rico and WiseliJohanna Spyri
A British force was dispatched from Kurna to attack these positions.
At last, on the night of Easter Monday, March 31st, they caught him and dispatched him.
The Historical Nights' EntertainmentRafael Sabatini
A messenger has been dispatched to find him and urge him to return home at once.
St. Martin's SummerRafael Sabatini
dispatch
despatch
- 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
- 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
Word Origin for dispatch
Word Origin and History for dispatched
dispatch
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.