Pronunciation: dis- ' k ə r-ij, - ' k ə -rij
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -aged ; -ag · ing
Etymology: Middle English discoragen, from Middle French descorager, from Old French descoragier, from des- dis- + corage courage
Date: 15th century
1 : to deprive of courage or confidence : DISHEARTEN <was discouraged by repeated failure>
2 a : to hinder by disfavoring <trying to discourage absenteeism> b : to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something <tried to discourage her from going>
– dis · cour · age · able \ -j ə -b ə l \ adjective
– dis · cour · ag · er noun
– dis · cour · ag · ing · ly \ -ji ŋ -l ē \ adverb