Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Despond"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Despond \De*spond"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Desponded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Desponding}.] [L. despond[=e]re, desponsum, to
promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose
(courage); de- + spond[=e]re 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. --Scott's
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}.
Usage: 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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Despond \De*spond"\ n.
Despondency. [Obs.]
The slough of despond. --Bunyan.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
despond
v : lose confidence or hope; become dejected; "The supporters of
the Presidential candidate desponded when they learned
the early results of the election"
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