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despair definition

de·spair (di sper′)

intransitive verb

to lose hope; be without hope: usually with of

Etymology: ME despeiren < OFr desperer < L desperare, to be without hope < de-, without + sperare, to hope < spes, hope < IE base *spēi, to prosper, expand: see speed

transitive verb

Archaic to give up hope of

noun

  1. loss of hope
  2. a person or thing causing despair

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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