Dismay, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dismayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Dismaying.]
Etymology: [OE. desmaien, dismaien, OF. esmaier; pref. es- (L. ex) + OHG. magan to be strong or able; akin to E. may. In English the pref. es- was changed to dis- (L. dis-). See May, v. i.]
1. To disable with alarm or apprehensions; to depress the spirits or courage of; to deprive or firmness and energy through fear; to daunt; to appall; to terrify. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. Josh. i. 9. What words be these What fears do you dismay Fairfax.
2. To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet. [Obs.] Do not dismay yourself for this. Spenser.
Syn. -- To terrify; fright; affright; frighten; appall; daunt; dishearthen; dispirit; discourage; deject; depress. -- To Dismay, Daunt, Appall. Dismay denotes a state of deep and gloomy apprehension. To daunt supposes something more sudden and startling. To appall is the strongest term, implying a sense of terror which overwhelms the faculties. So flies a herd of beeves, that hear, dismayed, The lions roaring through the midnight shade. Pope. Jove got such heroes as my sire, whose soul No fear could daunt, nor earth nor hell control. Pope. Now the last ruin the whole host appalls; Now Greece has trembled in her wooden walls. Pope.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Dismay, v. i.
To take dismay or fright; to be filled with dismay. [Obs.] Shak.
Dismay, n.
1. Loss of courage and firmness through fear; overwhelming and disabling terror; a sinking of the spirits; consternation. I . . . can not think of such a battle without dismay. Macaulay. Thou with a tiger spring dost leap upon thy prey, And tear his helpless breast, o'erwhelmed with wild dismay. Mrs. Barbauld.
2. Condition fitted to dismay; ruin. Spenser.
Syn. -- Dejection; discouragement; depression; fear; fright; terror; apprehension; alarm; affright.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for dismay; he lists it under alarm, chagrin, fear, frighten.
Where he writes about it:
Apprehension, disquietude, dread, misgiving, and solicitude are in anticipation of danger; consternation, dismay, and terror are overwhelming fear, generally in the actual presence of that which is terrible, though these words also may have an anticipative force. — from alarm
Dismay is a helpless sinking of heart in view of some overwhelming peril or sorrow. — from fear
Dismay is more reflective, enduring, and despairing than fright; a horse is subject to fright or terror, but not to dismay. — from fear