Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of sending something off: The action of causing something, such as a message, goods, or a person, to be sent to a destination.
   • Killing a person or animal: The act of killing, especially in a quick and efficient manner.
   • Promptness and efficiency: The quality of being carried out with speed and effectiveness.
   • An official report: A written message, often an official or urgent communication, sent with haste.

2. Verb:

   • To send away towards a designated goal: To send someone or something to a specific place or for a specific purpose, typically with promptness.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The despatch of the urgent package was handled by a special courier.
  • The general ordered the despatch of the spy.
  • She handled the customer complaints with admirable despatch.
  • The ambassador sent a despatch to the foreign ministry.

• Verb:

  • We will despatch the replacement parts immediately.
  • The king despatched a messenger to the neighboring kingdom.

Advanced Usage

• "with all despatch": With the utmost speed and urgency.

  • The repairs must be completed with all despatch.

• "happy despatch": (Historical/Euphemistic) A reference to seppuku, a form of Japanese ritual suicide.

  • The term 'happy despatch' is an archaic euphemism.

Variants and Related Words

• Dispatch: This is the more common modern spelling. "Despatch" is a variant, now less frequently used.

  • The verb is often spelled "dispatch" in contemporary English.

• Dispatcher (n): A person who coordinates the sending out of vehicles, messages, or personnel.

  • The taxi dispatcher sent a car to our location.

Synonyms

• Noun (sending): Shipment, transmission, consignment.
• Noun (killing): Execution, killing, elimination.
• Noun (speed): Promptness, alacrity, expedition.
• Verb (send): Send off, transmit, forward, expedite.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Despatch" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The related verb "dispatch" is used similarly.) - Dispatch to: To send someone or something to a specific place. - Troops were dispatched to the border region.

Related Idioms

• To do something with dispatch: To do something quickly and efficiently.
  • The legal matter was settled with remarkable dispatch.

Noun

1. the act of sending off something
2. killing a person or animal
3. the property of being prompt and efficient
   • it was done with dispatch
4. an official report (usually sent in haste)

Verb

1. send away towards a designated goal