- Dismayed
- 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.