Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

Fine Dictionary

despondence

WordNet
  1. (n) despondence
    feeling downcast and disheartened and hopeless
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
  1. Despondence
    Despondency. "The slough of despond .", "The people, when once infected, lose their relish for happiness [and] saunter about with looks of despondence ."
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
  1. (n) despondence
    A despondent condition; despondency.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
  1. (ns) Despondence
    state of being without hope: dejection
Quotations
One does nothing who tries to console a despondent person with word. A friend is one who aids with deeds at a critical time when deeds are called for.
Titus Maccius Plautus
How many feasible projects have miscarried through despondency, and been strangled in their birth by a cowardly imagination.
Jeremy Collier
Baruch (Benedict de) Spinoza
The greatest pride, or the greatest despondency, is the greatest ignorance of one's self.
Baruch (Benedict de) Spinoza
George Eliot
There is a sort of jealousy which needs very little fire; it is hardly a passion, but a blight bred in the cloudy, damp despondency of uneasy egoism.
George Eliot
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I cannot forgive a scholar his homeless despondency.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Kin Hubbard
Nobody ever grew despondent looking for trouble.
Kin Hubbard
Idioms

Slough of despond - If someone is very depressed or in despair, they're in a slough of despond.

Etymology

Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary L. despondēre, to promise, to give up or devote to, to give up or resign, to lose courage, to despond—de, away, and spondēre, to promise.

Usage in the news

Von Brunn was growing despondent. ashingtonpost.com

Stand off over- despondent man surrenders to St Louis police. ktrs.com

A despondent , armed man surrendered to police following a police standoff at Grand & Chouteau Monday morning. ktrs.com

As the Obama presidency and the Democratic Party continue their journey into the Slough of Despond, it's interesting to watch Obama' supporters try to process the unfolding events. commentarymagazine.com

he said in a horribly despondent voice. nytimes.com

After watching the Dallas Cowboys drop another close game, the team's owner was despondent as he stood in the locker room. foxnews.com

Long Island broadcaster Michael Baldwin is despondent yesterday after the death of his son at their home. nypost.com

In colder parts of the country, it is one of the only big plants to bloom during the low-light days when gardeners feel most despondent. gardendesign.com

When Angela Austin-Knight's teenage son and daughter were placed in foster care in 2008, she was despondent and angry. state-journal.com

Their lovely children lightened the despondency I felt over the raging Iraq war. bakercityherald.com

One year ago Wednesday, despondent Army Pvt . nydailynews.com

So why was Nick - the intern working on opening his own CrossFit gym in Goleta - so despondent. independent.com

List them all to a Washington football fan and the reactions will vary from remorse (Tim Hasselbeck) to shame (Jeff George) to despondence (Heath Shuler). ashingtonpost.com

The options for despondent conservatives are somewhat limited at this juncture: They can pout. motherjones.com

Nevis responders inch out on thin ice to rescue despondent woman. parkrapidsenterprise.com

Usage in scientific papers

However, the cosmic string community is not despondent and there is renewed motivation to understand some very important points which may significantly alter the ‘standard’ picture of cosmic string formation and evolution .
Evolution of a Network of Cosmic String Loops

Usage in literature

Mrs Fyne on her side gave way to despondency. "Chance" by Joseph Conrad

Unaware of this good fortune before them, they seek rest with feelings of the utmost despondency, and find sleep only in short snatches. "Gaspar the Gaucho" by Mayne Reid

All of a sudden I perceived my companion rouse himself from his despondent attitude and commence fumbling about over the floor. "Ran Away to Sea" by Mayne Reid

His clothes, which were shabby, hung round him in desponding folds. "General John Regan" by George A. Birmingham

He is utterly desponding. "Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 3 of 3)" by John Morley

But our gaiety was again succeeded by another period of despondency; we repeated all our antics, struggles and despair. "Greener Than You Think" by Ward Moore

But, Dubbs, you are too desponding; we shall have you here yet for many pleasant days. "St. Winifred's" by Frederic W. Farrar

Gertrude, what has been said about affairs that makes you all so desponding? "Floyd Grandon's Honor" by Amanda Minnie Douglas

It was too late to attempt a retreat, and, in a state of desponding stupor, he stuck to the saddle. "The Boy Slaves" by Mayne Reid

His spirits, hitherto buoyant and gladsome, now fell, and despondency and despair succeeded vivacity and hope. "A Modern History, From the Time of Luther to the Fall of Napoleon" by John Lord

Usage in poetry
And youths, strong limb'd, with frank, bold look,
That seem'd to pierce beyond
The future darkness, and rebuke
Aught wishing to despond.
O Lord! who graciously wast mov'd
To give us Christ, thy best-belov'd,
To be for our transgressions slain,
And souls desponding to sustain!
XII. Oh, what a lay the minstrel breath'd!
How many bleeding hearts around,
In suff'ring sympathy enwreath'd,
Hung desponding o'er the sound!
Lovingly then the Person smiled,
Gazing upon the face of the child;
Smiled like an ogress - 'Don't despond! -
I am of children all too fond.'
Here, at a meagre earth, despondent
And listless stare the dull grey skies,
And, as if plunged in leaden slumber,
A eary nature moveless lies.
And the despondent voices of the violins
Sing out beyond the hanging smoke:
"Give blessings to heaven above
At last you're alone with your beloved."