de·spond v. i. [imp. & p. p. Desponded; p. pr. & vb. n. Desponding.] 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.
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