errand
/ˈɛr(ə)nd
/noun
1A 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...
- Leave the car at home, walk for short errands or use your bike.
- I asked other parents when they began leaving their children alone, either for a short errand or during after-school hours.
- I have a short errand to run, then I'll reschedule my meeting with Mark and plunge back into the fray.
Synonyms
task, job, chore, assignment;
collection, delivery, shopping;
trip, run, journey;
mission, expedition;
operation, undertaking, commission, business;
Scottish message
1.1The purpose or object of an errand: she knew that if she stated her errand she would not be able to see him...
- Use this forgotten vacation time to finish last-minute details and errands.
- She called me way too early in the morning and informed me of my new errand or duty.
- Daily errands will include providing meals, responding to calls for attention and overseeing visits by relatives.
Phrases
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.