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In traditional British diplomatic usage, a formal and therefore stylized letter from a head of mission abroad to the Foreign Secretary, and vice versa; and also from one head of mission to another. (The Oxford English Dictionary prefers ‘dispatch’, as does the US Foreign Service.) Among the words of advice given on the writing of despatches in the earlier editions of Satow\'s Guide are these: ‘Never place an adjective before a noun, if it can be spared; it only weakens the effect of a plain statement. Above all, do not attempt to be witty.’ Today, however, despatches are not quite as formal as they used to be. See also telegram, unofficial letter.
To send, as in to ‘despatch a special envoy’. |
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