\De*spond"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Desponded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Desponding}.] [L. despond[=e]re, desponsum, to
promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose
(courage); de- + spond[=e]re 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.   --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 the foundations of
      our national power still stand strong.   --D. Webster.
Syn: {Despond}, {Dispair}.
Usage: 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.                   --Bunyan.