'Despond' definitions:
Definition of 'despond'
(from WordNet)
verb
Lose confidence or hope; become dejected; "The supporters of the Presidential candidate desponded when they learned the early results of the election"
Definition of 'Despond'
From: GCIDE
- Despond \De*spond"\ n. Despondency. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- The slough of despond. --Bunyan. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'despond'
From: GCIDE
- despond \de*spond"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Desponded; p. pr. & vb. n. Desponding.] [L. despond[=e]re, desponsum, to promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose (courage); de- + spond[=e]re to promise solemnly. See Sponsor.] To give up the will, courage, or spirit; to be thoroughly disheartened; to lose all courage; to become dispirited or depressed; to take an unhopeful view. [1913 Webster]
- I should despair, or at least despond. --Scott's Letters. [1913 Webster]
- Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at the first difficulty. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
- We wish that . . . desponding patriotism may turn its eyes hitherward, and be assured that the foundations of our national power still stand strong. --D. Webster.
- Syn: Despond, Dispair.
- Usage: Despair implies a total loss of hope, which despond does not, at least in every case; yet despondency is often more lasting than despair, or than desperation, which impels to violent action. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'despond'
From: Moby Thesaurus