from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Despair \De*spair"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Despaired}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Despairing}.] [OE. despeiren, dispeiren, OF.
desperer, fr. L. desperare; de- + sperare to hope; akin to
spes hope, and perh. to spatium space, E. space, speed; cf.
OF. espeir hope, F. espoir. Cf. {Prosper}, {Desperate}.]
To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or
expectation; -- often with of.
[1913 Webster]
We despaired even of life. --2 Cor. i. 8.
[1913 Webster]
Never despair of God's blessings here. --Wake.
Syn: See {Despond}.
[1913 Webster]