De*spair", v. t. 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.] Sir
W. Williams.
De*spair", n. [Cf. OF. despoir,
fr. desperer.] 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. "The
mere despair of surgery he cures." Shak.
Syn. -- Desperation; despondency; hopelessness.
De*spair" (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Despaired (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Despairing.] [OE. despeiren, dispeiren, OF.
desperer, fr. L. desperare; de- + sperare
to hope; akin to spes hope, and perh. to spatium space,
E. space, speed; cf. OF. espeir hope, F.
espoir. Cf. Prosper, Desperate.] 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.