n. & v.
n. the complete loss or absence of hope.
v.intr. 1 (often foll. by of) lose or be without hope (despaired of ever seeing her again). 2 (foll. by of) lose hope about (his life is despaired of). be the despair of be the cause of despair by badness or unapproachable excellence (he's the despair of his parents). despairingly adv.
[ ME f. OF desespeir, desperer f. L desperare (as DE-, sperare hope) ]