Definitions for despairdɪˈspɛər

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

de•spair^*dɪˈspɛər(n.)

loss of hope; hopelessness.
a source of hopelessness:
to be the despair of one's teachers.
(v.i.)to lose, give up, or be without hope:
to despair of humanity.
(v.t.)Obs. to give up hope of.

^* Syn: despair , desperation , despondency refer to a state of mind caused by circumstances that seem too much to cope with. despair suggests total loss of hope, usu. accompanied by apathy and low spirits: He sank into despair after the bankruptcy. desperation is a state in which loss of hope drives a person to struggle against circumstances, with utter disregard of consequences: In desperation, they knocked down the door. despondency is a state of deep gloom due to loss of hope and a sense of futility and resignation: despondency after a serious illness.

Origin of despair:

1275–1325; < OF despoir (n.), < L dēspērāre to be without hope =dē-de - +spērāre to hope, der. of spēs hope

de•spair′er(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

despair, desperation(noun)
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
"in the depths of despair"; "they were rescued from despair at the last minute"; "courage born of desperation"
despair(verb)
the feeling that everything is wrong and nothing will turn out well
"they moaned in despair and dismay"; "one harsh word would send her into the depths of despair"
despair(verb)
abandon hope; give up hope; lose heart
"Don't despair--help is on the way!"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

despair(noun)ɪˈspɛər
a feeling of great unhappiness and hopelessness
his despair at losing his wife; to be in despair over the political unrest

Wiktionary

despair(Noun)
Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.
He turned around in despair, aware that he was not going to survive
despair(Noun)
That which is despaired of.
despair(Verb)
To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.
despair(Verb)
To cause to despair.
despair(Verb)
To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation.

Webster Dictionary

Despair(verb)
to be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation; -- often with of
Despair(verb)
to give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of
Despair(verb)
to cause to despair
Despair(noun)
loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency
Despair(noun)
that which is despaired of