DESPONDING

Verb

desponding

present participle of despond

Adjective

desponding (comparative more desponding, superlative most desponding)

That causes despondency; disheartening.

Noun

desponding (plural despondings)

A feeling or expression of despondency.

Source: Wiktionary

DESPOND

De*spond", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Desponded; p. pr. & vb. n. Desponding.] Etym: [L. despond, desponsum, to promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose (courage); de- + spond to promise solemnly. See Sponsor.]

Definition: To give up, the will, courage, or spirit; to be thoroughly disheartened; to lose all courage; to become dispirited or depressed; to take an unhopeful view. I should despair, or at least despond. Scott's Letters. Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at the first difficulty. Locke. We wish that . . . desponding patriotism may turn its eyes hitherward, and be assured that foundations of our national power still stand strong. D. Webster.

Syn.

– Despond, Dispair. Despair implies a total loss of hope, which despond does not, at least in every case; yet despondency is often more lasting than despair, or than desperation, which impels to violent action.

De*spond" n.

Definition: Despondency. [Obs.] The slough of despond. Bunyan.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition