adj.1 reckless from despair; violent and lawless.
2 a extremely dangerous or serious (a desperate situation). b staking all on a small chance (a desperate remedy).
3 very bad (a desperate night; desperate poverty).
4 (usu. foll. by for) needing or desiring very much (desperate for recognition).
Derivatives:
desperately adv. desperateness n. desperation n.
Etymology: ME f. L desperatus past part. of desperare (as DE-, sperare hope)