verb (used with object)
- to break down the courage of completely, as by sudden danger or trouble; dishearten thoroughly; daunt: The surprise attack dismayed the enemy.
- to surprise in such a manner as to disillusion: She was dismayed to learn of their disloyalty.
- to alarm; perturb: The new law dismayed some of the more conservative politicians.
noun
- sudden or complete loss of courage; utter disheartenment.
- sudden disillusionment.
- agitation of mind; perturbation; alarm.
verb (tr)
- to fill with apprehension or alarm
- to fill with depression or discouragement
noun
- consternation or agitation
late 13c., dismaien, from Old French *desmaier (attested only in past participle dismaye), from Latin de- intensive prefix + Old French esmaier “to trouble, disturb,” from Vulgar Latin *exmagare “divest of power or ability” (source of Italian smagare “to weaken, dismay, discourage”), from ex- (see ex-) + Germanic stem *mag- “power, ability” (cf. Old High German magen “to be powerful or able;” see may (v.)). Spanish desmayer “to be dispirited” is a loan word from Old French. Related: Dismayed; dismaying.
c.1300, from dismay (v.).