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hope against hope

 - 3 dictionary results
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hope

  [hohp] noun, verb, hoped, hop⋅ing.
Use hope against hope in a Sentence
–noun
1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to give up hope.
2. a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of winning.
3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance: There is little or no hope of his recovery.
4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered: The medicine was her last hope.
5. something that is hoped for: Her forgiveness is my constant hope.
–verb (used with object)
6. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
7. to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
–verb (used without object)
8. to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
9. Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually fol. by in).
—Idiom
10. hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition.
Origin:
bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE hopa; c. D hoop, G Hoffe; (v.) ME hopen, OE hopian

Related forms:
hoper, noun
hop⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. expectancy, longing. 8. See expect.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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hope   (hōp)   
v.   hoped, hop·ing, hopes

v.   intr.

  1. To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.

  2. Archaic To have confidence; trust.

v.   tr.

  1. To look forward to with confidence or expectation: We hope that our children will be successful.

  2. To expect and desire. See Synonyms at expect.

n.  

  1. A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.

  2. Something that is hoped for or desired: Success is our hope.

  3. One that is a source of or reason for hope: the team's only hope for victory.

  4. often Hope Christianity The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.

  5. Archaic Trust; confidence.


[Middle English hopen, from Old English hopian.]
hop'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

hope against hope

Hope or wish for with little reason or justification, as in I'm hoping against hope that someone will return my wallet. This expression, based on the biblical "Who against hope believed in hope" (Romans 4:18), was first recorded in 1813.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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