De*spond" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Desponded; p. pr. & vb. n. Desponding.] [L. despondre, desponsum, to promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose (courage); de- + spondre to promise solemnly. See Sponsor.]
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.
Locke.
We wish that . . . desponding patriotism may turn its eyes hitherward, and be assured that 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.
© Webster 1913.
De*spond" n.
Despondency.
[Obs.]
The slough of despond.
Bunyan.
© Webster 1913.