dismay
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Middle English dismayen, from Anglo-Norman *desmaiier, alteration of Old French esmaier (“to frighten”), from Vulgar Latin *exmagare (“to deprive (someone) of strength, to disable”), from ex- + *magare (“to enable, empower”), of Germanic origin, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *maginan, *maganan (“might, power”), from Proto-Indo-European *mēgh- (“to be able”). Akin to Old High German magan, megin (“power, might, main”), Old English mæġen (“might, main”), Old High German magan, mugan (“to be powerful, able”), Old English magan (“to be able”). More at main, may.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
dismay (uncountable)
- A sudden or complete loss of courage and firmness in the face of trouble or danger; overwhelming and disabling terror; a sinking of the spirits; consternation.
- Condition fitted to dismay; ruin.
[edit] Translations
a sudden loss of courage
[edit] Verb
dismay (third-person singular simple present dismays, present participle dismaying, simple past and past participle dismayed)
- To disable with alarm or apprehensions; to depress the spirits or courage of; to deprive of firmness and energy through fear; to daunt; to appall; to terrify.
- To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet.
- To take dismay or fright; to be filled with dismay.
[edit] Translations
To disable with alarm or apprehensions
To render lifeless.
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To take dismay or fright.
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