Part 215

Scott's Letters.

Others depress their own minds, 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. 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.

De*spond" n. Despondency. [Obs.]

The slough of despond.

Bunyan.

De*spond"ence (?), n. Despondency.

The people, when once infected, lose their relish for happiness saunter about with looks of despondence.

Goldsmith.

De*spond"en*cy (?), n. The state of desponding; loss of hope and cessation of effort; discouragement; depression or dejection of the mind.

The unhappy prince seemed, during some days, to be sunk in despondency.

Macaulay.

De*spond"ent (?), a. [L. despondens, -entis, p. pr. of despond&?;re.] Marked by despondence; given to despondence; low-spirited; as, a despondent manner; a despondent prisoner. -- De*spond"ent*ly, adv.

De*spond"er (?), n. One who desponds.

De*spond"ing*ly, adv. In a desponding manner.

De*spon"sage (?), n. [From L. desponsus, p. p. See Despond.] Betrothal. [Obs.]

Ethelbert . . . went peaceably to King Offa for desponsage of Athilrid, his daughter.

Foxe.

De*spon"sate (?), v. t. [L. desponsatus, p. p. of desponsare, intens. of despondere to betroth. See Despond.] To betroth. [Obs.] Johnson.

Des`pon*sa"tion (?), n. [L. desponsatio: cf. OF. desponsation.] A betrothing; betrothal. [Obs.]

For all this desponsation of her . . . she had not set one step toward the consummation of her marriage.

Jer. Taylor.

De*spon"so*ry (?), n.; pl. Desponsories (&?;). A written pledge of marriage. Clarendon.

De*sport" (?), v. t. & i. See Disport.

Des"pot (?), n. [F. despote, LL. despotus, fr. Gr. despo`ths master, lord, the second part of which is akin to po`sis husband, and L. potens. See Potent.] 1. A master; a lord; especially, an absolute or irresponsible ruler or sovereign.