dispatch
UK[dɪˈspætʃ]US[dɪˈspætʃ]
v
To send someone or something to a place for a particular purpose.
v
To deal with a task or problem quickly and efficiently.
n
The act of sending someone or something to a place.
n
A report sent to a newspaper by a correspondent.
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
patch
dis
apart
patch
to hasten
Etymology
The word 'dispatch' entered English in the early 16th century, primarily from Spanish 'despachar' (to expedite, send off) or Italian 'dispacciare'. These Romance language terms likely evolved from Vulgar Latin 'dispactare', a compound of the Latin prefix 'dis-' (apart) and a root related to making something ready or fast. The literal sense of "to send away speedily" is directly inherited from its Romance origins. Over time, the meaning broadened to encompass the efficient completion of any task, not just physical sending, while also developing nominal uses for the act itself or a speedy message.
Analysis
Structure: dis + patch
- dis: A Latin prefix meaning "apart" or "away," indicating separation or reversal.
- patch: From Italian "pacciare" or Spanish "despachar," meaning "to hasten" or "to get rid of." In this word, it functions as the core root conveying the sense of sending off or expediting.
Examples
The company will dispatch the order within 24 hours.
She dispatched the paperwork with her usual efficiency.
The journalist filed a dispatch from the war zone.