dispatch

verb

• 1send off to a destination or for a purpose:he dispatched messages back to base [with object and infinitive]:the government dispatched 150 police to restore order

• 2deal with (a task or opponent) quickly and efficiently:the Welsh team were dispatched comfortably by the opposition
• kill:he dispatched the animal with one blow

noun

• 1 [mass noun] the sending of someone or something to a destination or for a purpose:a resolution authorizing the dispatch of a peacekeeping force
• promptness and efficiency:the situation might change, so he should proceed with dispatch

• 2an official report on state or military affairs:in his battle dispatch he described the gunner’s bravery
• a report sent in from abroad by a journalist: he conducted meetings for the correspondents and censored their dispatches

• 3 [mass noun] the killing of someone or something:the executioner’s merciful dispatch of his victims