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).
Phrases and idioms:
be the despair of be the cause of despair by badness or unapproachable excellence (he's the despair of his parents).
Derivatives:
despairingly adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF desespeir, desperer f. L desperare (as DE-, sperare hope)