desponding

desponding

1. present participle and gerund of despond

desponding (comparative more desponding, superlative most desponding)

1. That causes or communicates despondency; disheartening or despondent.
   • 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, V.x.1:

     [T]he doubts, apprehensions, and desponding suspense which had accompanied her setting out, were now all removed, and certainty, ease, the expectation of happiness, and the cessation of all perplexity, had taken their place.

   • 1869, Emily Thompson, Kingswood; or, the Harker Family Second thousand, page 67:

     "Somebody has hooked off with your pie," he blurted in a desponding tone.

desponding (plural despondings)

1. A feeling or expression of despondency.
   • 1753, Edward Moore, The Gamester:

     These are the despondings of men without money; but let the shining ore chink in the pocket, and folly turns to wisdom.