Dismay

Dismay
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. [1913 Webster]

Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. --Josh. i. 9. [1913 Webster]

What words be these? What fears do you dismay? --Fairfax. [1913 Webster]

2. To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

So flies a herd of beeves, that hear, dismayed, The lions roaring through the midnight shade. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

Jove got such heroes as my sire, whose soul No fear could daunt, nor earth nor hell control. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

Now the last ruin the whole host appalls; Now Greece has trembled in her wooden walls. --Pope. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Dismay — 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. [1913 Webster] I . . . can not think of such a battle without… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dismay — vb Dismay, appall, horrify, daunt mean to unnerve and check or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion. Dismay suggests a loss of power to proceed either because a prospect is terrifying or disheartening, or, more often, because one is… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Dismay — Dis*may , v. i. To take dismay or fright; to be filled with dismay. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dismay — [dis mā′] vt. [ME dismayen < Anglo Fr * desmaier < des , intens. + OFr esmayer, to deprive of power < VL * exmagare < L ex , from + Gmc base * mag, power: see MAIN] to make afraid or discouraged at the prospect of trouble or danger;… …   English World dictionary

  • dismay — [n] disappointed feeling; distress agitation, alarm, anxiety, apprehension, blue funk*, blues*, bummer*, chagrin, cold feet*, consternation, discouragement, disheartenment, disillusionment, downer*, dread, dumps*, fear, fright, funk*, hassle,… …   New thesaurus

  • dismay — ► NOUN ▪ discouragement and distress. ► VERB ▪ cause to feel dismay. ORIGIN Old French, related to MAY(Cf. ↑may) …   English terms dictionary

  • dismay — I noun affright, agitation, alarm, anxiety, apprehension, chagrin, consternation, discomfort, discomposure, discouragement, disheartenment, disquiet, doubt, dread, fret, inquietude, intimidation, misgiving, mistrust, perturbation, pique, qualm,… …   Law dictionary

  • dismay — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ deep (esp. BrE), great, utter ▪ The government has expressed ‘deep dismay’ at police violence against protesters. ▪ growing ▪ widespread (esp. BrE) …   Collocations dictionary

  • dismay — I n. 1) to express; feel dismay 2) dismay at, with 3) to smb. s dismay (to my dismay, he was absent again) II v. (formal) (R) it dismayed me to learn of her actions; it dismayed us that the project had been canceled * * * [dɪs meɪ] feel dismay it …   Combinatory dictionary

  • dismay — 1 noun (U) the worry, disappointment, and unhappiness you feel when something unpleasant happens: with/in dismay: Amanda read her exam results with dismay. | They stared at each other in dismay. | to sb s dismay: I found to my dismay that I had… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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