Despair, n.
Etymology: [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.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Despair, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Despaired; p. pr. & vb. n. Despairing.]
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.
Despair, 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.
Shades of meaning
Discouragement is the result of so much repulse or failure as wears out courage. Discouragements too frequent and long continued may produce a settled hopelessness. Hopelessness is negative, and may result from simple apathy; despondency and despair are more emphatic and decided. Despondency is an incapacity for the present exercise of hope; despair is the utter abandonment of hope. Despondency relaxes energy and effort and is always attended with sadness or distress; despair may produce a stony calmness, or it may lead to desperation. Desperation is energized despair, vigorous in action, reckless of consequences.