- de|spair
- de|spair «dih SPAIR», noun, verb.–n.1. the loss of hope; state of being without hope; a dreadful feeling that nothing good can happen: »
Despair seized us as we felt the boat sinking under us.
SYNONYM(S): hopelessness.2. a person or thing that causes despair: »Her temper tantrums were the despair of her parents.
–v.i.to lose hope; be without hope: »The doctors despaired of saving the sick man's life.
–v.t.Archaic. to give up hope of.╂[< Old French despoir < desperer to despair < Latin dēspērāre < dē- without, out of + spērāre to hope]–de|spair´er, noun.Synonym Study noun. 1 Despair, desperation mean hopelessness. Despair emphasizes loss of hope and usually suggests sinking into a state of discouragement: »In his despair over losing his job he fell in with bad companions.
Desperation suggests a recklessness that is caused by despair and is expressed in rash or frantic action as a last resort: »He had no job and no money, and in desperation robbed a bank.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.