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dismay

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The definition of dismay is to ruin the courage of someone.

(verb)

An example of dismay is to jump out of the bushes attacking a once brave passerby.

Dismay is defined as a sudden or total loss of courage.

(noun)

An example of dismay is feeling defeated after applying to dozens of jobs and being offered none of them.

See dismay in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to make afraid or discouraged at the prospect of trouble or danger; fill with apprehension or alarm; daunt

Origin: ME dismayen < Anglo-Fr *desmaier < des-, intens. + OFr esmayer, to deprive of power < VL *exmagare < L ex-, from + Gmc base *mag, power: see main

noun

a loss of courage or confidence at the prospect of trouble or danger; consternation

See dismay in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb dis·mayed, dis·may·ing, dis·mays

To destroy the courage or resolution of by exciting dread or apprehension.
To cause to lose enthusiasm; disillusion: was dismayed to learn that her favorite dancer used drugs.
To upset or alarm.

noun

A sudden or complete loss of courage in the face of trouble or danger.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English dismaien

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman *desmaiier

Origin: : probably de-, intensive pref.; see de-

Origin: + Old French esmaier, to frighten (from Vulgar Latin *exmagāre, to deprive of power : Latin ex-, ex- + Germanic *magan, to be able to; see magh- in Indo-European roots)

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