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Despond

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. We wish that . . . Desponding patriotism may turn its eyes hitherward, and be assured that foundations of our national power still stand strong. (D. Webster)

Synonym: despond, Dispair.

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.

Origin: L. Despondre, desponsum, to promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose (courage); de- _ spondre to promise solemnly. See Sponsor.