Dis·may v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dismayed p. pr. & vb. n. Dismaying.]
 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.


 dismaying
      adj : causing consternation; "appalling conditions" [syn: appalling]