The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Despair \De*spair"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Despaired; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Despairing.] [OE. despeiren, dispeiren, OF.
   desperer, fr. L. desperare; de- + sperare to hope; akin to
   spes hope, and perh. to spatium space, E. space, speed; cf.
   OF. espeir hope, F. espoir. Cf. Prosper, Desperate.]
   To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or
   expectation; -- often with of.
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         We despaired even of life.               --2 Cor. i. 8.
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         Never despair of God's blessings here.   --Wake.

   Syn: See Despond.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Despair \De*spair"\, v. t.
   1. To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.
      [Obs.]
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            I would not despair the greatest design that could
            be attempted.                         --Milton.
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   2. To cause to despair. [Obs.] --Sir W. Williams.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Despair \De*spair"\, n. [Cf. OF. despoir, fr. desperer.]
   1. Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.
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            We in dark dreams are tossing to and fro,
            Pine with regret, or sicken with despair. --Keble.
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            Before he [Bunyan] was ten, his sports were
            interrupted by fits of remorse and despair.
                                                  --Macaulay.
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   2. That which is despaired of. "The mere despair of surgery
      he cures." --Shak.

   Syn: Desperation; despondency; hopelessness.
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