Despondent
/dɪˈspɒn.dənt/noun
Feeling or showing deep dejection, discouragement, or loss of hope.
Did you know?It comes from Latin *despondēre*, originally meaning “to promise away” or “to give up,” so the word’s emotional meaning grew out of the idea of surrendering hope.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spend-
“to make an offering, perform a rite, or pledge”
Latin
Latin
spondēre
“to promise, pledge, or solemnly vow”
Latin
Latin
despondēre
“to give up by promise; to renounce, abandon”
Middle English
English
despondent
“in a state of hopelessness or dejection”
Modern English
English
despondent
“feeling or showing deep discouragement or hopelessness”