| 释义 |
▪ I. dispatch, despatch, v.|dɪˈspætʃ|
Also 6 dispach(e, dyspach(e, -patch; 8–9 despatch.
[Found early in 16th c.: ad. It. dispacciare ‘to dispatch, to hasten, to speed, to rid away any worke’ (Florio), or Sp. despachar to expedite, ‘to dispatch, to rid out of the way’ (Minsheu). The radical is the same as in It. impacciare to entangle, hinder, stop, prevent, Sp., Pg. empachar to impede, embarrass. Not related to F. dépêcher, which gave the Engl. depesshe, depeach, common in 15–16th c., rare after 1600, and app. superseded by dispatch before 1650. The uniform English spelling from the first introduction of the word to the early part of the 19th c. was with dis-; but in Johnson's Dictionary the word was somehow entered under des- (although Johnson himself always wrote dispatch, which is also the spelling of all the authors cited by him); though this has, since c 1820, introduced diversity into current usage, dispatch is to be preferred, as at once historical, and in accordance with English analogy; for even if this word had begun in ME. with a form in des- from OF. (which it did not), it would regularly have been spelt dis- by 1500: see des-, dis-, prefixes.
The notions of impede, expedite, are expressed by different roots in the northern and southern Romanic langs. The radical of F. empêcher, dépêcher (Eng. impeach, depeach), OF. empeechier, despeechier, is taken to be a L. *-pedicāre (extended form of im-, ex-pedīre, or deriv. of pedica ‘fetter, gin’); cf. prêcher, preach, OF. preechier:—L. prædicāre. This also occurs in Pr. empedegar. But Sp. empachar, despachar, Pr. empaitar, point to a L. type -pactāre (f. pactus, ‘fastened, fixed, fast’, pa. pple. of pangĕre). The radical of It. im-, dis-pacciare, Pr. empachar (with which perh. are to be taken dial. OF. empachier, ampauchier, dapauchier: see Godef.), have been referred to a cognate L. type -pactiāre (cf., for the phonology, It. tracciare, docciare, succiare:—*tractiāre, *ductiāre, *sūctiāre). Thus, these words are quite distinct from F. empêcher, dépêcher, in 16th c. also despecher, which gave Eng. impeach, and depeach, also despeche, in Caxton depesshe, Sc. depesche. Dispatch, therefore, could not be of French origin. The date of our first quot., 1517, is early for a word from Italian, and still more so for a word from Spanish; but the active intercourse with the Papal Court and with Spain at that date may have facilitated the introduction of dispatch as a diplomatic word. Tunstall, our first authority for dispach(e, was Commissioner to Spain in 1516 and 1517.]
I. trans.
* To dismiss or dispose of promptly.
1. To send off post-haste or with expedition or promptitude (a messenger, message, etc., having an express destination). The word regularly used for the sending of official messengers, and messages, of couriers, troops, mails, telegrams, parcels, express trains, packet-boats, etc.
1517Bp. Tunstall Let. to Hen. VIII in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. I. 134 We..dispached that poste..reservyng thys to be written by my selff at laysor. 1585T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. iii. viii. 82 If..the great Lord hath to send and dispatch in hast any matter into any places. 1600E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 21 He..dispatched fower coronels throughout his Realme of Portugall, to levie twelve thousand foote. 1624Davenport City Night-Cap iii. i, Embassadors were dispatch'd to Bergamo. 1751Johnson Rambler No. 153 ⁋3, I was in my eighteenth year dispatched to the university. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. ix, Moses was..dispatched to borrow a couple of chairs. 1840Penny Cycl. XVIII. 459/2 The number of chargeable letters dispatched by the General Post. 1875F. Hall in Lippincott's Mag. XVI. 749/1 The palanquin, as being portable and easy to handle, was dispatched first, its contents included.
β1832Lander Exped. to Niger I. vii. 259 They had been despatched..from Soccatoo to collect the accustomed tribute. 1874Green Short Hist. vi. §5. 319 Commissioners were despatched into every county for the purpose of assessment. 1886Postal Guide 210 When the mails are despatched at longer intervals than a week.
fig.1655H. Vaughan Silex Scint. i. (1858) 23, I turn'd me round, and to each shade Dispatch'd an Eye. 1781Cowper Conv. 437 The mind, dispatched upon her busy toil, Should range where Providence has blest the soil.
†b. refl. To get away quickly: = sense 8. rare.
1632J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 180 Though he were desirous to dispatch himselfe thence, yet waited he with all patience.
†2. To send away (from one's presence or employment); to dismiss, discharge. Obs.
a1533Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) L vj, As an ydell vacabunde man they dyspatched and sent hym awaie. 1632Lithgow Trav. ix. 380, I dispatched my Dragoman, and the other Barbarian hireling, with a greater consideration then my..conditions allowed me. 1662Grim, Collier of Croydon iii. in Ant. Brit. Drama III. 312 To give her warning to dispatch her knaves.
3. To dismiss (a person) after attending to him or his business; to settle the business of and send away; to get rid of. Now rare.
1530Palsgr. 520/1, I have dispatched these four felowes quickly, jay despeché ces quattre galans vistement. 1551in Furnivall Ballads from MSS. I. 421 Remembre poore shewters who dothe susteyne wronge; speake and dispatche them, they tarrye to longe. a1625Boys Wks. (1630) 382 And I can say this of other suitors, if ten be dispatched ninety be despited. 1670G. H. Hist. Cardinals ii. iii. 198 Dispatching all that came to him with great satisfaction. 1726Adv. Capt. R. Boyle 171 Nor would I suffer another to enter my Ship, till the former was dispatch'd.
β1874Morley Compromise (1886) 132 Finally we may be despatched with a eulogy of caution and a censure of too great heat after certainty.
4. To get rid of or dispose of (any one) by putting to death; to make away with, kill.
1530Proper Dyaloge (Arb.) 146 Duke Humfray By them of his lyfe was abreuiate. Sythe that tyme I could recken mo Whom they caused to be dispatched so. 1568Grafton Chron. II. 1329 He drowned himselfe..the river beyng so shallow that he was faine to lye grovelyng before he could dispatch himselfe. 1580North Plutarch 112 (R.) He drank..poyson, which dispatcheth a man in 24 hours. 1607Shakes. Cor. iii. i. 286 We are peremptory to dispatch This Viporous Traitor. 1611Bible Ezek. xxiii. 47 The companie shall..dispatch [1885 R.V. despatch] them with their swords. 1678Bunyan Pilgr. (ed. 2, 1847) i. 140 Show them the Bones and Skulls of those that thou hast already dispatch'd. 1726Adv. Capt. R. Boyle 68 If he had made any Resistance, I should certainly have dispatch'd him. 1819Shelley Cyclops 446 You think by some measure to dispatch him. 1859Thackeray Virgin. xxi. 162 Heroes are not dispatched with such hurry and violence unless there is a cogent reason for making away with them.
β1848A. Jameson Sacr. & Leg. Art (1850) 419 And then after many torments despatched with a dagger. 1879Froude Cæsar xviii. 304 Clodius was dragged out bleeding, and was despatched.
b. (with complement.) to dispatch out of life, dispatch out of the way, the world, etc. ? Obs.
1580Baret Alv. D. 884 To dispatch one out of life, de medio aliquem tollere. 1697Potter Antiq. Greece i. iv. (1715) 17 [He] was quickly dispatch'd out of the way, and no enquiry made after the Murderers. a1745Swift Hist. Stephen in Lett. (1768) IV. 313 To remove the chief impediment by dispatching his rival out of the world. 1796Morse Amer. Geog. I. 100 To desire that they would be more expeditious in dispatching her out of her misery.
†c. to dispatch the life of. Obs.
1586Marlowe 1st Pt. Tamburl. v. ii, The Turk and his great Emperess..Have desperately despatch'd their slavish lives. 1605Shakes. Lear iv. v. 12 Edmund, I thinke is gone In pitty of his misery, to dispatch His [Glouster's] nighted life. 1632J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 61 Which if it had hit, where he levelled, dispatched had beene the life of Tolmido.
5. To dispose or rid oneself promptly of (a piece of business, etc.); to get done, get through, accomplish, settle, finish off, conclude, execute promptly or speedily.
a1533Ld. Berners Huon ci. 330 Dyspatch the mater and reuenge me. 1547Boorde Introd. Knowl. 145 He had many matters of state to dyspache. 1551Robinson tr. More's Utop. ii. (Arb.) 74 The worke beyng diuided into so greate a numbre of workemen, was with excedinge maruelous spede dyspatched. 1659B. Harris Parival's Iron Age 202 He was so..unlike to live, that his Christening was dispatcht in hast. 1667Pepys Diary (1879) IV. 239 To my office, where dispatched some business. 1751Johnson Rambler No. 161 ⁋4, I..soon dispatched a bargain on the usual terms. 1776― Let. to Mrs. Thrale 6 May, We dispatched our journey very peacably. 1782Priestley Corrupt. Chr. II. ix. 152 Dominic easily dispatched this task in six days. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 219 Causes lingering before his commissaries were summarily dispatched at a higher tribunal. 1895F. Hall Two Trifles 27, I must dispatch my errand and be off.
β1817Moore Lalla R. (1824) 126 Veiled Proph., The matter is easily despatched. 1884Church Bacon ix. 218 Two of the great divisions of knowledge..are despatched in comparatively short chapters.
b. To ‘dispose of’ or ‘make away with’ (food, a meal) promptly or quickly; to eat up, consume, devour. colloq.
1711Addison Spect. No. 7 ⁋1, I dispatched my Dinner as soon as I could. 1833H. Martineau Brooke F. ix. 112 The roast beef and plum-puddings had been dispatched.
β1826Scott Woodst. v, I saw two rascallions engaged in..despatching a huge venison pasty. 1837Disraeli Venetia i. xv, The brother magistrates despatched their rumpsteak.
†c. trans. To produce or ‘turn out’ promptly or quickly. Obs.
c1710C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 101 There are also paper mills wch dispatches paper at a quick rate. 1711Steele Tatler IV. Pref. ⁋2 The great Ease with which he is able to dispatch the most entertaining Pieces of this Nature.
†6. To remove, dispel, do away with; to dispose of, get rid of. Obs.
1568Grafton Chron. II. 395 Dispatching some by death, and other by banishment. 1578Lyte Dodoens iii. xlvi. 382 It dissolveth and dispatcheth congeled blood. 1600Holland Livy xxii. vi. 435 The heat of the sunne had broken and dispatched the mist. 1726Adv. Capt. R. Boyle 221 To dispatch all fear of Resistance, I can assure you there are but two more Servants in the House.
†b. To ‘get rid of’ (goods); to dispose of (by sale). Obs.
1592Greene Disput. 17 The Paynters coulde not dispatche and make away theyr Vermiglion, if tallowe faced whoores vsde it not for their cheekes. 1632Lithgow Trav. viii. 355 Rings..valued to a hundred Chickens of Malta, eight shillings the peece, which I dispatched for lesser.
†c. To put out of the way, stow away. rare.
1567R. Edwards Damon & P. in Hazl. Dodsley IV. 39 Such a crafty spy I have caught..Snap the tipstaff..Brought him to the court, and in the porter's lodge dispatched him.
** To rid (a person) of something.
†7. trans. To rid (a person, etc. of, from, some encumbrance or hindrance); to deliver, free, relieve.
1530Palsgr. 520/1 We shall dispatche us of hym well ynoughe. c1534tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden) I. 161 The thinge which shoulde cleanlie dispatche him of all languor and sorrow. 1548Udall, etc. Erasmus Par. Pref. 18 Whan I had cleane dispatched myself of this great charge and taske. 1549Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. 1 Tim. vi. 17 Thinges so incertain that yf casualtie take them not awaye, yet at lest death despatcheth vs from them. 1561J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 315 Dispatch vs from euils, graunt us the good thinges promised. 1562Turner Baths 6 b, Some are dispatched of their diseases here in sixe dayes. 1580Baret Alv. D 884 To dispatch himself out of a businesse..To dispatch and ridde out of trouble. 1594Plat Jewell-ho. iii. 57 You shall soone dispatch your barnes..of al these wastfull birds. a1641Bp. R. Montagu Acts & Mon. (1642) 295 Antipater being dispatched of these two competitors, had an easier course to run.
†b. To deprive, bereave. Obs. (Cf. 4.)
1602Shakes. Ham. i. v. 75 Thus was I, sleeping, by a Brothers hand, Of Life, of Crowne, and Queene at once dispatcht. 1606G. W[oodcocke] tr. Ivstine's Hist. 94 a, Aristotimus was dispatched both of life and rule.
II. intransitive.
†8. (for refl. 1 b.) To start promptly for a place, get away quickly, make haste to go, hasten away.
1587Turberv. Trag. T. (1837) 101 Howe he mought..Dispatche and goe unto the place. 1597Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, iv. iii. 82 And now dispatch we toward the Court. 1670Eachard Cont. Clergy 52 Dispatch forthwith for Peru and Jamaica. 1712W. Rogers Voy. 400 That we might dispatch for the Cape of Good Hope, as fast as possible.
9. To make haste (to do something), hasten, be quick. Obs. or arch.
1581G. Pettie Guazzo's Civ. Conv. i. (1586) 24 b, Dispatch I pray you to shew me. 1591Florio 2nd Fruites 5 Dispatch and giue me a shirt. 1692R. L'Estrange Josephus' Antiq. iv. i. (1733) 78/1 Why do we not dispatch then and take possession? 1712Arbuthnot John Bull iii. iii, Thou hast so many ‘If's’ and ‘And's’! Prithee, dispatch. 1753Foote Eng. in Paris i. Wks. 1799 I. 37 Hold your jaw and dispatch. 1828Scott F.M. Perth viii, Butler Gilbert, dispatch, thou knave. 1833L. Ritchie Wand. by Loire 146 ‘Come—despatch!’ said the imperial sponsor; and the ceremony was hurried through.
†10. (absol. from 5). To conclude or settle a business; to get through, have done (with). Obs.
1603Shakes. Meas. for M. iii. i. 279 At that place call vpon me, and dispatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly. 1666Boyle Orig. Formes & Qual. (1667) 51 And thus (to dispatch) by the bruising of Fruit, the Texture is commonly so chang'd, that [etc.].
⁋Dispatch is used by Gabriel Harvey for the pa. pple.
1573G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 22, I hope mi long lingering matter is ere now quietly dispatch. 1577Ibid. 58 Ar the[y] so soone dispatche in deede?
Hence diˈspatched ppl. a. (whence † diˈspatchedly adv.); diˈspatching vbl. n. and ppl. a.
1552Huloet, Dispatched, expeditus, perfectus. a1564Becon Acts Christ & Antichr. Prayers, etc. (1844) 531 Unto the dispatching of their torments, if they be in purgatory. 1611Florio, Spacciatamente, dispatchedly, out of hand, with riddance or much speed. 1615W. Hull Mirr. Maiestie 78 Not to a dispatching, easy, honourable kind of death, but to the lingring, painefull, ignominious death of the Crosse. 1633Costlie Whore iv. iii. in Bullen O. Pl. IV, A cup of poyson Stuft with dispatching Simples. 16..Cabbala, Marq. Ynoiosa to Lord Conway (R.), I have differed the dispatching of a currier. 1893Star 25 Feb. 4/3 The port is at the dispatching point of the Cheshire salt trade.
▪ II. dispatch, despatch, n.|dɪˈspætʃ|
Also 7 dispache.
[f. dispatch v., or perh. immediately ad. It. dispaccio (also spaccio) ‘a dispatch, a hastning, a riddance; also a pleeke or packet of letters’ (Florio) = Sp., Pg. despacho, Romanic deriv. f. the vb. stem: see prec. Cf. relation of depeach n. and v.]
I. The act of dispatching.
1. The sending off (of a messenger, letter, etc.) on an errand or to a particular destination.
1600E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 280 Blaming him to have beene too slacke in the dispatch of the Armie. 1667Pepys Diary 10 June, So to Woolwich to give order for the dispatch of a ship I have taken under my care to see dispatched. 1805T. Lindley Voy. Brazil (1808) 74 He deferred the dispatch of my note. 1840Penny Cycl. XVIII. 457/1 The operations of the Post-office belonging to the dispatch of letters. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 70 The despatch of a French embassy to England. 1886Postal Guide No. 119 title-p., Dates of Dispatch of Mails, etc. Ibid. 210 Dates of Despatch of Colonial and Foreign Mails.
†2. Official dismissal or leave to go, given to an ambassador after completion of his errand; congé. Obs.
1571St. Trials, Duke Norfolk (R.), After the dispatch of Rodolph, in Lent last, as he had made show before, that he intended to go over sea, and was all this while practising about this treason. 1603Knolles Hist. Turks (1638) 161 To heare Embassadors from forrein Princes, and to giue them their dispatch. 1605Shakes. Lear ii. i. 127 The seuerall Messengers From hence attend dispatch. 1698Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 124, I easily condescended, thinking to procure my Dispatch with more speed.
†3. Dismissal (of a suitor, etc.) after settlement of business; attention to or settlement of the business (of a person); see dispatch v. 3. Obs.
1550Crowley Last Trumpet 936 If thou be a mans atturney..Let him not waite and spende money, If his dispatch do lie in the.
4. Making away with by putting to death; killing; death by violence.
happy dispatch, a humorous name for the Japanese form of suicide called hara-kiri.
1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 315 Except I had followed you..the sorrowes..had quite overwhelmed me, and wrought my remedilesse dispatch. 1591Troub. Raigne K. John (1611) 59 Tormentor come away, Make my dispatch the Tyrants feasting day. 1653H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. xv. 51 So furious and bloody a fight, that in less than a quarter of an hour we made a clean dispatch of them all. 1697Bp. Patrick Comm. Exod. xii. 6 There were about two hours and a half for the Dispatch of all the Lambs. 1859Times 26 Mar. 9/2 The Japanese are..taught..the science, mystery, or accomplishment of ‘Happy Dispatch’.
5. a. The getting (of business, etc.) out of hand; settlement, accomplishment; (prompt or speedy) execution. quick dispatch: prompt or speedy settlement of an affair; hence, in former use, promptitude in settling an affair, speed, expedition (= sense 6).
1581G. Pettie Guazzo's Civ. Conv. ii. (1586) 101 b Neither that he be lesse liberall of justice, or quick in dispatch towards them [the poore], than towards the rich. 1601Shakes. All's Well iii. ii. 56 After some dispatch in hand at Court, Thither we bend againe. 1601Cornwallyes Ess. ii. xlvi. (1631) 270 The miles which you must overcome before the dispatch of your journey. 1602How Man may chuse a good Wife iii. ii. in Old Eng. Drama (1824) 53 About it with what quick dispatch thou can'st. 1651Baxter Inf. Bapt. 214, I offered you—To Dispute publikely, only for quick dispatch. 1781Gibbon Decl. & F. II. 75 In the dispatch of business, his diligence was indefatigable. 1833H. Martineau Manch. Strike vii. 73 Three members of the Committee sit daily for the dispatch of common business. 1863H. Cox Instit. i. vi. 41 If it be intended that Parliament should meet for dispatch of business. 1885Act 48–49 Vict. c. 60. §10 Notwithstanding any vacancy..the Council shall be competent to proceed to the dispatch of business.
β1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. I. iii. i, In him is..only clerklike ‘despatch of business’ according to routine. 1860Motley Netherl. (1868) I. iii. 75 To his credit and dexterity they attribute the despatch of most things.
†b. ‘Conduct, management’ (J.). Obs. rare.
1605Shakes. Macb. i. v. 69 You shall put This Nights great Businesse into my dispatch.
6. a. Prompt settlement or speedy accomplishment of an affair (= quick dispatch in 5). Also as a personal quality: Promptitude in dealing with affairs. b. Speed, expedition, haste, rapid progress.
a.1607–12Bacon Ess., Dispatch (Arb.) 242 Measure not dispatch by the tymes of sitting, but by the advauncement of the busines. a1680Butler Rem. (1759) II. 71 Dispatch is no mean Virtue in a Statesman. 1712Addison Spect. No. 469 ⁋4 The Dispatch of a good Office is very often as beneficial to the Solicitor as the good Office itself.
b.1573Tusser Husb. lxxxv. (1878) 174 Due season is best..Dispatch hath no fellow, make short and away. 1582N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. xxxviii. 91 b, The dispatch he made for the lading of our ships. 1636Davenant Witts v. i, This is a time of great dispatch and haste. 1722Wollaston Relig. Nat. ix. 206 The business he has to do grows urgent upon him, and calls for dispatch. 1793Smeaton Edystone L. §132 We also made good dispatch with the cutting of the rock. 1865Carlyle Fredk. Gt. VIII. xviii. xiv. 84 All turns on dispatch; loiter a little, and Friedrich himself will be here again!
β1832H. Martineau Demerara i. 8 Covering them [the roots] with so much despatch.
†7. The act of getting rid (of something), by sale, etc.; riddance, clearance, disposal; the act of putting away hastily. Obs.
1605Shakes. Lear i. ii. 33 Glou. What Paper were you reading? Bast. Nothing my Lord. Glou. No? what needed then that terrible dispatch of it into your Pocket? 1653H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. xiii. 41 In less than eight days he cleared his Warehouse..Now having made a full dispatch of all [etc.].
II. Concrete and transferred senses.
8. A written message sent off promptly or speedily; spec. an official communication relating to public affairs, usually conveyed by a special messenger.
1582N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. xx. 52 b, Nicholas Coello hauing receiued this dispatch, did forthwith depart, and that in hast. 1585T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. iv. xxi. 136 Messengers which carry y⊇ ordinary dispatches from Raguse to Constantinople. 1660F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 309 Visier, keeper of the seale, who before he can seale any dispatch, must acquaint the grand Senior. 1782Gentl. Mag. LII. 147 Captain Henry Edwin late of his Majesty's ship Russel, arrived here with dispatches from Rear Admiral Sir Samuel Hood. 1803Wellesley Let. to Wellington 23 Dec. in Thornton Hist. India (1842) III. xviii. 358 note, I received this morning your dispatch of the 30th of November. 1809Wellington in Gurw. Desp. IV. 292 Excepting upon very important occasions I write my dispatches without making a draft. 1844H. H. Wilson Brit. India I. 223 Sir John Malcolm..announced his arrival to the court, sending his dispatches by one of his officers. 1847Tennyson Princess iv. 360 Delivering seal'd dispatches which the Head took half-amazed.
β1641Nicholas Papers (Camden) 59, I have alsoe made an other despacth to the lords of the privie counsel by his Majesties command. 1838Thirlwall Greece IV. xxix. 87 They were called away by a despatch from the fleet at Cardia. 1865Livingstone Zambesi vi. 135 The loss of the mail-bags, containing Government despatches and our friends' letters for the past year.
9. An agency or organization for the expeditious transmission of goods, etc.; a conveyance or vessel by which goods, parcels, or letters are dispatched.
1694Lond. Gaz. No. 2964/1 Died..Don Jean de Angulo, Secretary of the Universal Dispatch. 1703Ibid. No. 3924/4 The Reprisal Dispatch, Jacob Green late Master, from New-England. 1861[see 12]. Mod. The Merchants' Despatch; it was sent by despatch. (Cent. Dict.).
†10. A body of persons (officially) sent to a particular destination. Obs.
1713J. Warder True Amazons 69 Dispatches of Guards are sent from the first Disturbance given.
11. slang. (pl.) A kind of false dice: = dispatcher 2.
1812J. H. Vaux Flash Dict., Dispatches, false dice used by gamblers, so contrived as always to throw a nick. 1856Times 27 Nov. 9/2 There are dice called ‘despatches’..A ‘despatch’ has two sides, double fours, double fives, and double sixes.
III. 12. attrib. and Comb., as dispatch-bearing, dispatch-carrier, dispatch-writer, dispatch-writing; dispatch-boat, -box, dispatch cock (see quots.); dispatch money (see quot. 1923); dispatch note, a memorandum required to be made in addition to the customs declaration for foreign parcel post; dispatch-rider, one who rides on horseback, bicycle, or motor-cycle to carry dispatches; so dispatch-riding; dispatch-tube (see quots.); dispatch-vessel = dispatch-boat.
1841Lever C. O'Malley xci. 443 In the mere details of note-writing or despatch-bearing.
1794Deb. Congress U.S. 20 Mar. (1849) l482 The President..[shall] be authorized to employ, as despatch-boats, such of the revenue cutters of the United States, as the public exigencies may require. 1874Knight Dict. Mech., Dispatch-boat, a name given to a swift vessel, formerly a fast sailer, now a small steamboat, used in dispatch duty.
1864Webster, Dispatch-box, a box for carrying dispatches; a box for papers and other conveniences of a gentleman when travelling. 1889Repent. P. Wentworth III. 267 Some papers he had just extracted from his despatch-box.
1905Daily Chron. 1 Aug. 3/1 A dispatch-carrier for the Foreign Office.
1785Grose Dict. Vulg. Tongue, Spatch cock, abbreviation of a dispatch cock, an Irish dish upon any sudden occasion. 1834West Ind. Sketch-bk. I. 299 These..dispatch cocks..are simply fowls cut down the back and expanded to the purposes of a grill..they afford an agreeable relief to an appetite that demands haste to be gratified—whence the name.
1712Addison Spect. No. 469 ⁋5 Gratifications, Tokens of Thankfulness, Dispatch Money, and the like specious Terms, are the Pretences under which Corruption..shelters itself. 1878Law Jrnl. Rep. Q.B. XLVII. 513/1 If the Court shall be of opinion that..despatch-money.. is to be paid per working day of twelve hours. 1923de Hart & Bucknill Maclachlan's Merchant Shipping (ed. 6) 428 Despatch money is a term which designates a payment which the Shipowner agrees to make for time saved out of the lay-days.
1892Post Office Guide Oct. 383 Parcels for Foreign Countries must..be accompanied by a Despatch Note. 1968Ibid. 113 Despatch notes can be obtained beforehand from any post office which accepts parcels for abroad.
1899Daily News 18 Oct. 7/2 A report brought from the north by dispatch riders, via Vryburg. 1951Oxf. Jun. Encycl. IV. 267/2 The army dispatch-rider..proves invaluable for messages which cannot be sent by any other method.
1907Daily Chron. 10 Jan. 9/5 An interesting dispatch-riding test from Newcastle and London to Manchester.
1861Engineer XII. 51/3 (title) The Pneumatic Despatch. Ibid., The loads, in the pneumatic despatch tubes do not much exceed half-a-ton, unless the despatch carriages are coupled in trains of two or more. 1874Knight Dict. Mech. s.v. Atmospheric Railway, A late act of Congress (1872) appropriates $15,000 for a pneumatic dispatch-tube between the Capitol and the Government Printing-Office, Washington. Ibid., Dispatch-tube, a tube in which letters or parcels are transported by a current of air.
1809Deb. Congress U.S. 21 Feb. (1853) 432 There may be time for the despatch vessel to go to France and return.
1889Sat. Rev. 26 Jan. 104/1 Despatch-writing had not yet become part of the art of war. |