Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Dismay?

\Dis*may"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dismayed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dismaying}.] [OE. desmaien, dismaien, OF. esmaier; pref. es- (L. ex) + OHG. magan to be strong or able; akin to E. may. In English the pref. es- was changed to dis- (L. dis-). See {May}, v. i.] 1. To disable with alarm or apprehensions; to depress the spirits or courage of; to deprive or firmness and energy through fear; to daunt; to appall; to terrify. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. --Josh. i. 9. What words be these? What fears do you dismay? --Fairfax. 2. To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet. [Obs.] Do not dismay yourself for this. --Spenser. Syn: To terrify; fright; affright; frighten; appall; daunt; dishearthen; dispirit; discourage; deject; depress. -- To {Dismay}, {Daunt}, {Appall}. Dismay denotes a state of deep and gloomy apprehension. To daunt supposes something more sudden and startling. To appall is the strongest term, implying a sense of terror which overwhelms the faculties. So flies a herd of beeves, that hear, dismayed, The lions roaring through the midnight shade. --Pope. Jove got such heroes as my sire, whose soul No fear could daunt, nor earth nor hell control. --Pope. Now the last ruin the whole host appalls; Now Greece has trembled in her wooden walls. --Pope.
\Dis*may"\, v. i. To take dismay or fright; to be filled with dismay. [Obs.] --Shak.
\Dis*may"\, n. [Cf. OF. esmai, F. ['e]moi. See {Dismay}, v. t.] 1. Loss of courage and firmness through fear; overwhelming and disabling terror; a sinking of the spirits; consternation. I . . . can not think of such a battle without dismay. --Macaulay. Thou with a tiger spring dost leap upon thy prey, And tear his helpless breast, o'erwhelmed with wild dismay. --Mrs. Barbauld. 2. Condition fitted to dismay; ruin. --Spenser. Syn: Dejection; discouragement; depression; fear; fright; terror; apprehension; alarm; affright.