Dismay

Pronunciation

• IPA: /dɪsˈmeɪ/
• Rhymes: -eɪ

Origin

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"), from Proto-Germanic *maginą, *maganą ("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.

Full definition of dismay

Noun

1. 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.
2. Condition fitted to dismay; ruin.

Verb

1. 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.
• Bible, Josh. i. 9Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed.
• FairfaxWhat words be these? What fears do you dismay?
2. To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet.
• SpenserDo not dismay yourself for this.
3. To take dismay or fright; to be filled with dismay.
• 1592, William Shakespeare, , III. iii. 1:Dismay not, princes, at this accident,