despondency

Yet we see in her not a moment's hesitation, we hear from her no expression of doubt or the least despondence.
Memoir of Mary L. Ware, Wife of Henry Ware, Jr.|Edward B. Hall
Theological notions appear to have been made to debase him, to contract his mind, to plunge him into despondence.
The System of Nature, Volume 2|Paul Henri Thiery (Baron D'Holbach)
She became thin, her appetite entirely failed, and she looked the image of despondence.
Adeline Mowbray|Amelia Alderson Opie
Yet there is no good in despondence: vigilance and activity often effect more than was expected.
The Works of Samuel Johnson, Vol. 6|Samuel Johnson

But, notwithstanding his declaration of despondence on this head, his imagination involuntarily teemed with more agreeable ideas.
The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, Volume I|Tobias Smollett

Word Origin and History for despondence

despondence

1670s, from Latin despondere "to give up, lose, lose heart, resign, to promise in marriage" (especially in phrase animam despondere, literally "give up one's soul"), from the sense of a promise to give something away, from de- "away" (see de-) + spondere "to promise" (see spondee). A condition more severe than despair.