Despatch
/dɪˈspætʃ/noun
A dated spelling of dispatch, meaning to send off quickly or an item sent on a mission.
Did you know?The spelling despatch is a long-standing British variant of dispatch, but both go back to an Italian military word tied to breaking open or “unfastening” a message for action.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
displicare
“to unfold, spread apart”
Italian
Italian
dispacciare
“to send off, dismiss, or clear away”
16th Century
English
despatch
“to send away quickly; to get rid of or settle”
Modern English
English
despatch
“chiefly British spelling of dispatch, especially in formal or historical use”