Dismay Definition

dĭs-mā
dismayed, dismaying, dismays
verb
dismayed, dismaying, dismays
To make apprehensive or discouraged, as by a problem or troublesome prospect.
Webster's New World
To cause to lose enthusiasm or resolution; disillusion or discourage.
American Heritage
To upset or distress.
American Heritage
To disable with alarm or apprehensions; to depress the spirits or courage of; to deprive of firmness and energy through fear; to daunt; to appall; to terrify.
Wiktionary
To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet.
Wiktionary
Antonyms:
noun
dismays
A feeling of discouragement or consternation, as at the prospect of trouble.
Webster's New World
A sudden or complete loss of courage in the face of trouble or danger.
American Heritage
Condition fitted to dismay; ruin.
Wiktionary

Origin of Dismay

  • From Middle English dismayen, from Anglo-Norman *desmaiier, alteration of Old French esmaier (“to frighten”), from Vulgar Latin *exmagare (“to deprive (someone) of strength, to disable”), from ex- + *magare (“to enable, empower”), from Proto-Germanic *maginą, *maganą (“might, power”), from Proto-Indo-European *mēgh- (“to be able”). Akin to Old High German magan, megin (“power, might, main”), Old English mæġen (“might, main”), Old High German magan, mugan (“to be powerful, able”), Old English magan (“to be able”). More at main, may.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English dismaien from Anglo-Norman desmaiier probably de- intensive pref. de– Old French esmaier to frighten (from Vulgar Latin exmagāre to deprive of power) (Latin ex- ex-) (Germanic magan to be able to magh- in Indo-European roots)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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