Desponded

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  despond \de*spond"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Desponded}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Desponding}.] [L. despond[=e]re, desponsum, to
     promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose
     (courage); de- + spond[=e]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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           I should despair, or at least despond.   --Scott's
                                                    Letters.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at the
           first difficulty.                        --Locke.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           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.
            [1913 Webster]