See Also: dispatch(medicine)
Dispatch(money)
dispatch(1)(dictionary)
dispatch(2)(dictionary)
dispatch box(dictionary)
dispatch 1, verb(dictionary)
dispatch 2, noun(dictionary)
dispatch rider(dictionary)

dispatch(2) (iou)



dispatch verb. Also despatch. E16.
[Italian dispacciare or Spanish despachar expedite, formed as DIS- 2 + base (of unkn. origin) of Italian impacciare hinder, stop, Spanish, Portuguese empachar impede, embarrass.]
I. verb trans.
Send off to a particular destination or recipient or for a particular purpose. E16.
R. Davenport Embassadors were dispatch'd to Bergamo. H. Macmillan I despatched a message to the new Prime Minister. A. Toffler The maintenance supervisor would dispatch a crew to repair the damage.
Send away from one's presence or employment; dismiss, discharge. M16-M17.
Dismiss (a person) after settling his or her business; deal with and send away. Now rare. M16.
Get rid or dispose of (a person) by putting to death; execute, kill. Formerly also, get rid of or banish (anything), dispel. M16.
Henry Miller Like mopping up a battlefield: all those who are hopelessly disabled..you dispatch with one swift blow.
b. End (a person's life). L16-M17.
Get (a task or piece of business) promptly done; accomplish, finish off, conclude. M16.
J. Priestley Dominic easily dispatched this task in six days.
b. Eat (food, a meal) quickly; consume, devour. colloq. E18.
Rid (esp. a person) of an encumbrance or hindrance; deliver, relieve; deprive. Foll. by of, from. M16-M17.
II. verb intrans.
Start promptly for a destination, hurry away. L16-E18.
Make haste (to do), be quick. arch. L16.
Conclude or settle one's business; get through, have done (with). E-M17.
Phrases: dispatch out of life, dispatch out of the world, etc. (now rare or obsolete) kill.
dispatcher noun (a) a person who or thing which dispatches, esp. a person who gives orders for the departure of goods or vehicles; (b) arch. slang = DISPATCH noun 9: M16.