Definition: dispatch

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

dispatch
     n 1: an official report (usually sent in haste) [syn: despatch,
           communique]
     2: the act of sending off something [syn: despatch, shipment]
     3: the property of being prompt and efficient; "it was done
        with dispatch" [syn: despatch, expedition, expeditiousness]
     4: the murder or execution of someone [syn: despatch]
     v 1: send off promptly [syn: despatch, send off]
     2: complete or carry out; "discharge one's duties" [syn: discharge,
         complete]
     3: kill intentionally and with premeditation; "The mafia boss
        ordered his enemies murdered" [syn: murder, slay, hit,
         bump off, polish off, remove]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Dispatch \Dis*patch"\, v. i.
   To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of
   business.

         They have dispatched with Pompey.        --Shak.

Dispatch \Dis*patch"\, n. [Cf. OF. despeche, F. d['e]p[^e]che.
   See Dispatch, v. t.] [Written also despatch.]
   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]

   Dispatch boat, a swift vessel for conveying dispatches; an
      advice boat.

   Dispatch box, a box for carrying dispatches; a box for
      papers and other conveniences when traveling.

   Syn: Haste; hurry; promptness; celerity; speed. See Haste.

Dispatch \Dis*patch"\ (?; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Dispatched; p. pr. & vb. n. Dispatching.] [OF.
   despeechier, F. d['e]p[^e]cher; 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.] [Written also despatch.]
   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.