errand

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɛr(ə)nd/

noun

  • a short journey undertaken in order to deliver or collect something, especially on someone else’s behalf: she asked Tim to run an errand for her
  • the purpose or object of an errand: she knew that if she stated her errand she would not be able to see him

Phrases

errand of mercy

a journey or mission carried out to help someone in difficulty or danger: a mountaineer and his St Bernard setting off on an errand of mercy

Origin:

Old English ǣrende 'message, mission', of Germanic origin; related to Old High German ārunti, and obscurely to Swedish ärende and Danish ærinde