Part 212

De*spend" (?), v. t. To spend; to squander. See Dispend. [Obs.]

Some noble men in Spain can despend £50,000.

Howell.

Des`per*a"do (?), n.; pl. Desperadoes (#). [OSp. desperado, p. p. of desperar, fr. L. desperare. See Desperate.] A reckless, furious man; a person urged by furious passions, and regardless of consequence; a wild ruffian.

Des"per*ate (?), a. [L. desperatus, p. p. of desperare. See Despair, and cf. Desperado.] 1. Without hope; given to despair; hopeless. [Obs.]

I am desperate of obtaining her.

Shak.

2. Beyond hope; causing despair; extremely perilous; irretrievable; past cure, or, at least, extremely dangerous; as, a desperate disease; desperate fortune.

3. Proceeding from, or suggested by, despair; without regard to danger or safety; reckless; furious; as, a desperate effort. "Desperate expedients." Macaulay.

4. Extreme, in a bad sense; outrageous; -- used to mark the extreme predominance of a bad quality.

A desperate offendress against nature.

Shak.

The most desperate of reprobates.

Macaulay.

Syn. -- Hopeless; despairing; desponding; rash; headlong; precipitate; irretrievable; irrecoverable; forlorn; mad; furious; frantic.

Des"per*ate, n. One desperate or hopeless. [Obs.]

Des"per*ate*ly, adv. In a desperate manner; without regard to danger or safety; recklessly; extremely; as, the troops fought desperately.

She fell desperately in love with him.

Addison.

Des"per*ate*ness n. Desperation; virulence.

Des`per*a"tion (?), n. [L. desperatio: cf. OF. desperation.] 1. The act of despairing or becoming desperate; a giving up of hope.

This desperation of success chills all our industry.

Hammond.

2. A state of despair, or utter hopeless; abandonment of hope; extreme recklessness; reckless fury.

In the desperation of the moment, the officers even tried to cut their way through with their swords.

W. Irving.

Des`pi*ca*bil"i*ty (?), n. Despicableness. [R.] Carlyle.

Des"pi*ca*ble (?), a. [L. despicabilis, fr. despicari to despise; akin to despicere. See Despise.] Fit or deserving to be despised; contemptible; mean; vile; worthless; as, a despicable man; despicable company; a despicable gift.