despond

From Latin dēspondeō (“give up, abandon”), from dē (“from”) +‎ spondeō (“promise”).

• IPA^(key): /dɪˈspɒnd/
• (rare, noun usage) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛspɒnd/
• Hyphenation: de‧spond
• Rhymes: -ɒnd

despond (third-person singular simple present desponds, present participle desponding, simple past and past participle desponded)

1. To give up the will, courage, or spirit; to become dejected, lose heart.
   • 1867, John Conington, The Aeneid of Virgil, translation of original by Virgil, page 176:

     Yet still despond not, but proceed
     Along the path where fate may lead.

   • Scott's Letters

     I should despair, or at least despond.

   • John Locke

     Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at the first difficulty.

   • D. Webster

     We wish that […] desponding patriotism may turn its eyes hitherward, and be assured that foundations of our national power still stand strong.

despond (uncountable)

1. (archaic) Despondency.

• despair

• slough of despond