dismay

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word dismay. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word dismay, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say dismay in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word dismay you have here. The definition of the word dismay will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofdismay, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

From Middle English dismayen, from Anglo-Norman *desmaiier, alteration of Old French esmaier (to frighten), probably 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 *megʰ- (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). Cognate with Portuguese desmaiar (to faint). See also Portuguese esmagar, Spanish amagar. More at main, may.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /dɪsˈmeɪ/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -eɪ

Verb

dismay (third-person singular simple present dismays, present participle dismaying, simple past and past participle dismayed)

  1. To cause to feel apprehension; great sadness, or fear; to deprive of energy
    Synonyms: daunt, appall, terrify
  2. To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet.
  3. To take dismay or fright; to be filled with dismay.

Translations

Noun

dismay (uncountable)

  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
    Synonym: consternation
    He looked in dismay at the destruction of the town caused by the hurricane.
  2. Condition fitted to dismay; ruin.

Translations

Anagrams