dispatch

The definition of dispatch is to send off quickly.

(verb)

An example of dispatch is to send firefighters to an emergency scene.

Dispatch is defined as the quick send off of something or someone.

(noun)

An example of dispatch is an ambulance which is sent to a car crash site.

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See dispatch in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

  1. to send off or out promptly, usually on a specific errand or official business
  2. to put an end to; kill
  3. to finish quickly or promptly
  4. Informal to eat up quickly

Origin: Sp despachar & It dispacciare, to send off, lit., to remove impediments, hence facilitate < OFr despeechier < des- (see dis-) + (em)peechier, to impede < LL impedicare, to entangle < L in-, in + pedica, a shackle < pes, foot

noun

  1. a dispatching; sending out or off
  2. an act of killing
  3. efficient speed; promptness
  4. a message, esp. an official message
  5. a news story sent to a newspaper or broadcaster, as by a correspondent

See dispatch in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also des·patch

transitive verb dis·patched also des·patched, dis·patch·ing also des·patch·ing, dis·patch·es also des·patch·es
  1. To relegate to a specific destination or send on specific business. See Synonyms at send1.
  2. a. To complete, transact, or dispose of promptly.
    b. To eat up (food); finish off (a dish or meal).
  3. To put to death summarily.
noun
  1. The act of sending off, as to a specific destination.
  2. Dismissal or rejection of something regarded as unimportant or unworthy of consideration: “[his] breezy dispatch of another Establishment fiction writer” (Christopher Hitchens).
  3. The act of putting to death.
  4. Speed in performance or movement. See Synonyms at haste.
  5. also (dĭsˈpăchˌ)
    a. A written message, particularly an official communication, sent with speed.
    b. An important message sent by a diplomat or an officer in the armed forces.
  6. also (dĭsˈpăchˌ) A news item sent to a news organization, as by a correspondent.
  7. An organization or conveyance for delivering goods.

Origin:

Origin: Spanish despachar

Origin: or Italian dispacciare

Origin: , both probably ultimately from Old Provençal empachar, to impede

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *impāctāre

Origin: , frequentative of Latin impingere, to dash against; see impinge

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