Dis*patch" , n. [Cf. OF. despeche, F. dépêche. 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.
Dis*patch" , v. i. To make haste; to conclude an affair; to
finish a matter of business.
They have dispatched with Pompey.
Shak.
Dis*patch" (?; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dispatched (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Dispatching.]
[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.] [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.
Hear it pronounced