despond

[ dih-spond or, especially for 2, des-pond ]
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verb (used without object)
  1. to be depressed by loss of hope, confidence, or courage.

Origin of despond

1
1670–80; <Latin dēspondēre to give up, lose heart, promise, equivalent to dē-de- + spondēre to promise

Other words from despond

  • de·spond·er, noun
  • de·spond·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·de·spond·ing, adjective
  • un·de·spond·ing·ly, adverb

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How to use despond in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for despond

despond

verb(dɪˈspɒnd)
  1. (intr) to lose heart or hope; become disheartened; despair

noun(ˈdɛspɒnd, dɪˈspɒnd)
  1. archaic lack of hope; despondency

Origin of despond

1
C17: from Latin dēspondēre to promise, make over to, yield, lose heart, from de- + spondēre to promise

Derived forms of despond

  • despondingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012