[des.per.ate] adj [L desperatus, pp. of desperare] (15c) 1 a: having lost hope "a ~ spirit crying for relief" b: giving no ground for hope "the outlook was ~"
2. a: moved by despair "victims made ~ by abuse" b: involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration "made a ~ leap for the rope"
3: suffering extreme need or anxiety "~ for money"
4: involving extreme danger or possible disaster "a ~ situation"
5: of extreme intensity
6: shocking, outrageous syn see despondent -- des.per.ate.ly adv -- des.per.ate.ness n