Dis*may" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Dismayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dismaying.] [OE. desmaien, dismaien, OF.
esmaier; pref. es- (L. ex) + OHG. magan
to be strong or able; akin to E. may. In English the pref.
es- was changed to dis- (L. dis-). See
May, v. i.] 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.
Dis*may", v. i. To take dismay or
fright; to be filled with dismay. [Obs.] Shak.
Dis*may", n. [Cf. OF. esmai, F.
émoi. See Dismay, v. t.]
1. Loss of courage and firmness through fear;
overwhelming and disabling terror; a sinking of the spirits;
consternation.
I . . . can not think of such a battle without
dismay.
Macaulay.
Thou with a tiger spring dost leap upon thy prey,
And tear his helpless breast, o'erwhelmed with wild
dismay.
Mrs. Barbauld.
2. Condition fitted to dismay; ruin.
Spenser.
Syn. -- Dejection; discouragement; depression; fear;
fright; terror; apprehension; alarm; affright.
