/ ˌdespəˈreɪʃn; NAmE / noun
[ U ] the state of being desperate :
In desperation , she called Louise and asked for her help.
There was a note of desperation in his voice.
an act of sheer desperation
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , from Latin desperatio(n-) , from the verb desperare , from de- down from + sperare to hope.