despair

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the feeling that everything is wrong and nothing will turn out well

   they moaned in despair and dismay

2. 2
   noun

   a state in which all hope is lost or absent

   in the depths of despair

3. 3
   verb

   To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.

   I would not despair the greatest design that could be attempted.

4. 4
   verb

   To cause to despair.

   Thinking of what I was despairing about despaired me further

5. 5
   verb

   To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation.

   We despaired even of life.

6. 6
   noun

   Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.

   He turned around in despair, aware that he was not going to survive.

7. 7
   verb

   abandon hope

8. 8
   noun

   That which causes despair.

Etymology

From Middle English dispeir, from Anglo-Norman despeir and Old French desperer (from Latin dēspērō, dēspērāre), or desesperer, from des- (“dis-”) + esperer (“hope”). See also desperate. Displaced native Old English ormōdnes (“despair”) and Old English ortrīewan (“to despair”).