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

They have dispatched with Pompey. --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)