DESPERATE


Meaning of DESPERATE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈdes-p(ə-)rət, -pərt ]

adjective

Etymology: Latin desperatus, past participle of desperare

Date: 15th century

1.

a. : having lost hope

a desperate spirit crying for relief

b. : giving no ground for hope

the outlook was desperate

2.

a. : moved by despair

victims made desperate by abuse

b. : involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration

made a desperate leap for the rope

3. : suffering extreme need or anxiety

desperate for money

4. : involving extreme danger or possible disaster

a desperate situation

5. : of extreme intensity

6. : shocking , outrageous

Synonyms: see despondent

• des·per·ate·ness noun

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.