Des`per*a"tion (?), n. [L.
desperatio: cf. OF. desperation.] 1.
The act of despairing or becoming desperate; a giving up of
hope.
This desperation of success chills all our
industry.
Hammond.
2. A state of despair, or utter hopeless;
abandonment of hope; extreme recklessness; reckless fury.
In the desperation of the moment, the officers
even tried to cut their way through with their swords.
W. Irving.