I. di-ˈspach verb
Etymology: Spanish despachar or Italian dispacciare, from Occitan despachar to get rid of, from Middle French despechier to set free, from Old French, from des- dis- + -pechier (as in enpechier to ensnare) — more at impeach
Date: 1517
transitive verb
1. : to send off or away with promptness or speed ; especially : to send off on official business
2.
a. : to kill with quick efficiency
b. obsolete : deprive
3. : to dispose of (as a task) rapidly or efficiently
4. : defeat 3
intransitive verb
archaic : to make haste : hurry
Synonyms: see kill
• dis·patch·er noun
II. di-ˈspach, ˈdis-ˌpach noun
Date: 1537
1.
a. : a message sent with speed ; especially : an important official message sent by a diplomatic, military, or naval officer
b. : a news item filed by a correspondent
2. : the act of dispatching: as
a. obsolete : dismissal
b. : the act of killing
c.
(1) : prompt settlement (as of an item of business)
(2) : quick riddance
d. : a sending off : shipment
3. : promptness and efficiency in performance or transmission
done with dispatch
Synonyms: see haste