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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

despond \de*spond"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Desponded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Desponding}.] [L. despond[=e]re, desponsum, to
promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose
(courage); de- spond[=e]re to promise solemnly. See
{Sponsor}.]
To give up the will, courage, or spirit; to be thoroughly
disheartened; to lose all courage; to become dispirited or
depressed; to take an unhopeful view.
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I should despair, or at least despond. --Scott's
Letters.
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Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at the
first difficulty. --Locke.
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We wish that . . . desponding patriotism may turn its
eyes hitherward, and be assured that the foundations of
our national power still stand strong. --D. Webster.

Syn: {Despond}, {Dispair}.

Usage: Despair implies a total loss of hope, which despond
does not, at least in every case; yet despondency is
often more lasting than despair, or than desperation,
which impels to violent action.
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Despond \De*spond"\ n.
Despondency. [Obs.]
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The slough of despond. --Bunyan.
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