De*spair" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Despaired (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Despairing.] [OE. despeiren, dispeiren, OF. desperer, fr. L. desperare; de- + sperare to hope; akin to spes hope, and perh. to spatium space, E. space, speed; cf. OF. espeir hope, F. espoir. Cf. Prosper, Desperate.] To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation; -- often with of.

We despaired even of life.

Never despair of God's blessings here.

Syn. -- See Despond.

De*spair", v. t. 1. To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of. [Obs.]

I would not despair the greatest design that could be attempted.

2. To cause to despair. [Obs.] Sir W. Williams.

De*spair", n. [Cf. OF. despoir, fr. desperer.] 1. Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.

We in dark dreams are tossing to and fro,
Pine with regret, or sicken with despair.

Before he [Bunyan] was ten, his sports were interrupted by fits of remorse and despair.

2. That which is despaired of. "The mere despair of surgery he cures." Shak.

Syn. -- Desperation; despondency; hopelessness.

• To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation; - often with of.
  
• To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of (obsolete).
  
• To cause to despair (obsolete).
  
• Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.
  
• That which is despaired of.
  
• Desperation
  
• Despondency
  
• Hopelessness.