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

Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at the first difficulty.

We wish that . . . desponding patriotism may turn its eyes hitherward, and be assured that the foundations of our national power still stand strong.

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. Despondency. [Obs.]

The slough of despond.

• 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.
  
• despondency