despond

(di spänd)

intransitive verb

to lose courage or hope; become disheartened; be depressed

Origin: L despondere, to lose courage, yield < de-, from + spondere, to promise: see sponsor

noun

despondency: now chiefly in (see slough, )

See despond in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb de·spond·ed, de·spond·ing, de·sponds
To become disheartened or discouraged.
noun
Despondency: “The outward show of fight masked a spreading inner despond at the White House” (Newsweek).

Origin:

Origin: Latin dēspondēre, to give up

Origin: : dē-, de-

Origin: + spondēre, to promise; see spend- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • de·spondˈing·ly adverb

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