despond
[dih-spond or especially for 2, des-pond]
verb (used without object)
to be depressed by loss of hope, confidence, or courage.
noun
Origin of despond
1670–80; < Latin dēspondēre to give up, lose heart, promise, equivalent to dē- de- + spondēre to promise
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for despond
Contemporary Examples of despond
A week after the inauguration, his wife, Lady Bird, watched with worry as a “slough of despond” surrounded her husband.
Historical Examples of despond
And yet, amidst all my hopes, there are hours when I tremble and despond!
Alice, or The Mysteries, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
Be comforted; be not dejected; do not despond, my dearest and best-beloved friend.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
Should we fail to have news of his capture in Dauphiny, we need not, nevertheless, despond.
St. Martin's SummerRafael Sabatini
Besides, I try to look on the best side, and not to despond.
Mary WollstonecraftElizabeth Robins Pennell
Suiting the action to the word, he flung his burden into the Slough of Despond.
Watch Yourself Go ByAl. G. Field
despond
verb (dɪˈspɒnd)
noun (ˈdɛspɒnd, dɪˈspɒnd)
Word Origin for despond
C17: from Latin dēspondēre to promise, make over to, yield, lose heart, from de- + spondēre to promise
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