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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