Dismaying

Dismaying
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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