despondence

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a state of deep dejection, discouragement, and loss of hope

   Repeated rejection filled him with despondence, but he continued to submit his work.

Formed from despond + -ence. Despond comes from Latin despondere, which could mean 'promise solemnly' but also 'give up, lose courage,' from de- + spondere ('pledge'). English retained the loss-of-heart sense; despondence and the more common despondency name the resulting state.

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