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.
© Webster 1913.