dispatch Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an official report (usually sent in haste)
    despatch; communique.
  2. noun the act of sending off something
    despatch; shipment.
  3. noun the property of being prompt and efficient
    despatch; expeditiousness; expedition.
    • it was done with dispatch
  4. noun killing a person or animal
    despatch.
  5. verb send away towards a designated goal
    send off; despatch.
  6. verb complete or carry out
    discharge; complete.
    • discharge one's duties
  7. verb kill intentionally and with premeditation
    murder; off; slay; remove; hit; bump off; polish off.
    • The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered
  8. verb dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently
    • He dispatched the task he was assigned
  9. verb kill without delay
    • the traitor was dispatched by the conspirators

WordNet

Dis*patch" transitive verb
Etymology
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.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Dispatched ; present participle & verbal noun Dispatching
Definitions
  1. To dispose of speedily, as business; to execute quickly; to make a speedy end of; to finish; to perform.
    Ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we The business we have talked of. Shak.
    [The] harvest men . . . almost in one fair day dispatcheth all the harvest work. Robynson (More's Utopia).
  2. To rid; to free. Obs.
    I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge. Udall.
  3. To get rid of by sending off; to send away hastily.
    Unless dispatched to the mansion house in the country . . . they perish among the lumber of garrets. Walpole.
  4. To send off or away; -- particularly applied to sending off messengers, messages, letters, etc., on special business, and implying haste.
    Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the emperor's cou. Shak.
  5. To send out of the world; to put to death.
    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.
Dis*patch" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of business.
    They have dispatched with Pompey. Shak.
Dis*patch" noun
Etymology
Cf. OF. despeche, F. dépêche. See Dispatch, v. t.
Definitions
  1. The act of sending a message or messenger in haste or on important business.
  2. Any sending away; dismissal; riddance.
    To the utter dispatch of all their most beloved comforts. Milton.
  3. The finishing up of a business; speedy performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste.
    Serious business, craving quick dispatch. Shak.
    To carry his scythe . . . with a sufficient dispatch through a sufficient space. Paley.
  4. 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.
  5. A message transmitted by telegraph. Modern Syn. -- Haste; hurry; promptness; celerity; speed. See Haste.

Webster 1913