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De - Pt| English Dictionary: desponding | by the DICT Development Group |
| 1 result for desponding | |
| From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
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Despond \De*spond"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Desponded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Desponding}.] [L. despond[emac]re, desponsum, to promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose (courage); de- + spond[emac]re to promise solemnly. See {Sponsor}.] To give up, the will, courage, or spirit; to be thoroughly disheartened; to lose all courage; to become dispirited or depressed; to take an unhopeful view. I should despair, or at least despond. --Scott's Letters. Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at the first difficulty. --Locke. We wish that . . . desponding patriotism may turn its eyes hitherward, and be assured that the foundations of our national power still stand strong. --D. Webster. Syn: {Despond}, {Dispair}. Usage: Despair implies a total loss of hope, which despond does not, at least in every case; yet despondency is often more lasting than despair, or than desperation, which impels to violent action. | |
