Main Entry:

¹dis·patch

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈspach\

Function:

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 verb1: to send off or away with promptness or speed ; especially : to send off on official business2 a: to kill with quick efficiency bobsolete : deprive3: to dispose of (as a task) rapidly or efficiently4: defeat 3intransitive verbarchaic : to make haste : hurry

synonyms see kill

— dis·patch·er noun