dismay

dismay
I. transitive verb (dismayed; dismaying) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French desmaier, from des- dis- + -maier, from Vulgar Latin *-magare, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German magan to be able — more at may Date: 13th century 1. to cause to lose courage or resolution (as because of alarm or fear) <
must not let ourselves be dismayed by the task before us
>
2. upset, perturb <
were dismayed by the condition of the building
>
dismayingly adverb Synonyms: dismay, appall, horrify, daunt mean to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion. dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something <
dismayed at the size of the job
>
. appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks <
I am appalled by your behavior
>
. horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion <
was horrified by such wanton cruelty
>
. daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage <
a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber
>
. II. noun Date: 14th century 1. sudden loss of courage or resolution from alarm or fear 2. a. sudden disappointment b. perturbation 1

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • 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.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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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