dispatch Definition

dispatch
despatch
verb dispatched, dispatching; despatched, despatching

1. To send (mail, a person, etc) to a place for a particular reason.

Thesaurus: send, transmit, express, forward, consign, remit; Antonym: impede.
2. To finish off or deal with something quickly.

Example: dispatch a meal
3. euphemistic
To kill.
Thesaurus: murder, kill, assassinate, bump off (slang), execute, slay, slaughter, destroy.

noun

1. An official (especially military or diplomatic) report.

Form: dispatches (often)
2. A journalist's report sent to a newspaper.
3. The act of dispatching; the fact of being dispatched.
4. old use
Speed or haste.
Thesaurus: speed, quickness, rapidity, swiftness, haste, alacrity, promptness, expedition; Antonym: slowness.

Idiom: mentioned in despatches

As a distinction: commended in official military dispatches for bravery, etc.

Etymology: 16c: from French despeechier to set free.