discouragement

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

discouragement
    n 1: the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles [syn:
         {discouragement}, {disheartenment}, {dismay}]
    2: the expression of opposition and disapproval [ant:
       {encouragement}]
    3: the act of discouraging; "the discouragement of petty theft"

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Discouragement \Dis*cour"age*ment\, n. [Cf. OF. descouragement,
   F. d['e]couragement.]
   1. The act of discouraging, or the state of being
      discouraged; depression or weakening of confidence;
      dejection.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. That which discourages; that which deters, or tends to
      deter, from an undertaking, or from the prosecution of
      anything; a determent; as, the revolution was commenced
      under every possible discouragement. "Discouragements from
      vice." --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]