v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Dispatched p. pr. & vb. n. Dispatching. ] [ OF. despeechier, F. dépêcher; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we
The business we have talked of. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ The ] harvest men . . . almost in one fair day dispatcheth all the harvest work. Robynson (More's Utopia). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To rid; to free. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge. Udall. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To get rid of by sending off; to send away hastily. [ 1913 Webster ]

Unless dispatched to the mansion house in the country . . . they perish among the lumber of garrets. Walpole. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To send off or away; -- particularly applied to sending off messengers, messages, letters, etc., on special business, and implying haste. [ 1913 Webster ]

Even with the speediest expedition
I will dispatch him to the emperor's cou&unr_;&unr_;. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To send out of the world; to put to death. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of business. [ 1913 Webster ]

They have dispatched with Pompey. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. despeche, F. dépêche. See Dispatch, v. t. ] [ Written also despatch. ] 1. The act of sending a message or messenger in haste or on important business. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any sending away; dismissal; riddance. [ 1913 Webster ]

To the utter dispatch of all their most beloved comforts. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The finishing up of a business; speedy performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste. [ 1913 Webster ]

Serious business, craving quick dispatch. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To carry his scythe . . . with a sufficient dispatch through a sufficient space. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A message transmitted by telegraph. [ Modern ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who dispatches. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Bent on haste; intent on speedy execution of business or any task; indicating haste; quick; as, dispatchful looks. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. despechement. ] The act of dispatching. [ Obs. ] State Trials (1529). [ 1913 Webster ]