'Despatch' definitions:

Definition of 'despatch'

From: WordNet
noun
An official report (usually sent in haste) [syn: dispatch, despatch, communique]
noun
The property of being prompt and efficient; "it was done with dispatch" [syn: dispatch, despatch, expedition, expeditiousness]
noun
Killing a person or animal [syn: dispatch, despatch]
noun
The act of sending off something [syn: dispatch, despatch, shipment]
verb
Send away towards a designated goal [syn: dispatch, despatch, send off]

Definition of 'Despatch'

From: GCIDE
  • Despatch \De*spatch"\, n. & v. Same as Dispatch. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'despatch'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we The business we have talked of. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • [The] harvest men . . . almost in one fair day dispatcheth all the harvest work. --Robynson (More's Utopia). [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To rid; to free. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge. --Udall. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To get rid of by sending off; to send away hastily. [1913 Webster]
  • Unless dispatched to the mansion house in the country . . . they perish among the lumber of garrets. --Walpole. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To send off or away; -- particularly applied to sending off messengers, messages, letters, etc., on special business, and implying haste. [1913 Webster]
  • Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the emperor's cou??. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. To send out of the world; to put to death. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'despatch'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Any sending away; dismissal; riddance. [1913 Webster]
  • To the utter dispatch of all their most beloved comforts. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The finishing up of a business; speedy performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste. [1913 Webster]
  • Serious business, craving quick dispatch. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • To carry his scythe . . . with a sufficient dispatch through a sufficient space. --Paley. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A message transmitted by telegraph. [Modern] [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]