Despair — Defs

01 v. i. To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation; -- often with of.

imp. & p. p. Despaired; p. pr. & vb. n. Despairing

1.
To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation; -- often with of.
“We despaired even of life.” — 2 Cor. i. 8.

“Never despair of God's blessings here.” — Wake.

Syn. See Despond.

02 v. t. To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.

1.
To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.[Obs.]
“I would not despair the greatest design that could be attempted.” — Milton.
2.
To cause to despair.[Obs.]

03 n. Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.

1.
Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.
“We in dark dreams are tossing to and fro, Pine with regret, or sicken with despair.” — Keble.

“Before he [Bunyan] was ten, his sports were interrupted by fits of remorse and despair.” — Macaulay.
2.
That which is despaired of.

Syn. Desperation; despondency; hopelessness.