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Despond
despond (?), v. i. (imp. p. pr. re, desponsum, to
promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose (courage); de-
+ spondere 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.
I should despair, or at least
despond. Scotts Letters.
Others depress their own minds, (and) despond
at the first difficulty. Locke.
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. 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.
despond n. Despondency.(Obs.)
The slough of despond.
Bunyan.
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