dis-may

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.

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the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.

a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

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Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English desmay (noun), de(s)mayen, dismayen (v.) < presumed AF alteration, by prefix change, of Old French esmaier to trouble, frighten < Vulgar Latin *exmagāre to disable, deprive of strength, equivalent to ex- ex- + *magāre < Germanic *magan to be able to; see may¹

Related forms

dis·mayed·ness

[dis-meyd-nis, -mey-id-] , noun

dis·may·ing·ly, adverb

un·dis·mayed, adjective

Synonyms
1. appall, terrify, frighten, scare, intimidate, disconcert. See discourage. 4. consternation, terror, panic, horror, fear.

Antonyms
1. hearten. 4. confidence.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins

World English Dictionary

dismay (dɪsˈmeɪ)

—vb
1.	to fill with apprehension or alarm
2.	to fill with depression or discouragement

—n
3.	consternation or agitation

[C13: from Old French desmaiier (unattested), from des-dis-¹ + esmayer to frighten, ultimately of Germanic origin; see may¹]

dis'maying

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

dismay

c.1300, from O.Fr. *desmaier, from L. de- intensive prefix + O.Fr. esmaier "to trouble, disturb," from V.L. *exmagare "divest of power or ability," from P.Gmc. stem *mag- "power, ability" (cf. O.H.G. magen "to be powerful or able;" see may (v.)). Related: Dismayed.

Matching Quote

"Disagreement produces debate but dissent produces dissension. Dissent (which come from the Latin, dis and sentire) means originally to feel apart from others. People who disagree have an argument, but people who dissent have a quarrel. People may disagree and both may count themselves in the majority. But a person who dissents is by definition in a minority. A liberal society thrives on disagreement but is killed by dissension. Disagreement is the life blood of democracy, dissension is its cancer."

-Daniel J. Boorstin

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