Meaning
1. To send or send away; particularly applied to the sending of messengers, agents and letters on special business, and often implying haste. The king dispatched and envoy to the court of Madrid. He dispatched a messenger to his envoy in France. He dispatched orders or letters to the commander of the forces in Spain. The president dispatched a special envoy to the court of St. James in 1794.
2. To send out of the world; to put to death.
The company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords. Ezek 23.
3. To perform; to execute speedily; to finish; as, the business was dispatched in due time.
DISPATCH, v.i. To conclude an affair with another; to transact and finish. [Not now used.]
They have dispatched with Pompey.
DISPATCH, n.
1. Speedy performance; execution or transaction of business with due diligence.
2. Speed; haste; expedition; due diligence; as, the business was done with dispatch; go, but make dispatch.
3. Conduct; management. [Not used.]
4. A letter sent or to be sent with expedition, by a messenger express; or a letter on some affair of state, or of public concern; or a packet of letters, sent by some public officer, on public business. It is often used in the plural. A vessel or a messenger has arrived with dispatches for the American minister. A dispatch was immediately sent to the admiral. The secretary was preparing his dispatches.
