Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Dismay — Dis*may , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dismayed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dismaying}.] [OE. desmaien, dismaien, OF. esmaier; pref. es (L. ex) + OHG. magan to be strong or able; akin to E. may. In English the pref. es was changed to dis (L. dis ). See {May}, v.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Dismay — Dis*may , n. [Cf. OF. esmai, F. [ e]moi. See {Dismay}, v. t.] 1. Loss of courage and firmness through fear; overwhelming and disabling terror; a sinking of the spirits; consternation. [1913 Webster] I . . . can not think of such a battle without… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
dismay — vb Dismay, appall, horrify, daunt mean to unnerve and check or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion. Dismay suggests a loss of power to proceed either because a prospect is terrifying or disheartening, or, more often, because one is… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
Dismay — Dis*may , v. i. To take dismay or fright; to be filled with dismay. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
dismay — [dis mā′] vt. [ME dismayen < Anglo Fr * desmaier < des , intens. + OFr esmayer, to deprive of power < VL * exmagare < L ex , from + Gmc base * mag, power: see MAIN] to make afraid or discouraged at the prospect of trouble or danger;… … English World dictionary
dismay — [n] disappointed feeling; distress agitation, alarm, anxiety, apprehension, blue funk*, blues*, bummer*, chagrin, cold feet*, consternation, discouragement, disheartenment, disillusionment, downer*, dread, dumps*, fear, fright, funk*, hassle,… … New thesaurus
dismay — ► NOUN ▪ discouragement and distress. ► VERB ▪ cause to feel dismay. ORIGIN Old French, related to MAY(Cf. ↑may) … English terms dictionary
dismay — I noun affright, agitation, alarm, anxiety, apprehension, chagrin, consternation, discomfort, discomposure, discouragement, disheartenment, disquiet, doubt, dread, fret, inquietude, intimidation, misgiving, mistrust, perturbation, pique, qualm,… … Law dictionary
dismay — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ deep (esp. BrE), great, utter ▪ The government has expressed ‘deep dismay’ at police violence against protesters. ▪ growing ▪ widespread (esp. BrE) … Collocations dictionary
dismay — I n. 1) to express; feel dismay 2) dismay at, with 3) to smb. s dismay (to my dismay, he was absent again) II v. (formal) (R) it dismayed me to learn of her actions; it dismayed us that the project had been canceled * * * [dɪs meɪ] feel dismay it … Combinatory dictionary
dismay — 1 noun (U) the worry, disappointment, and unhappiness you feel when something unpleasant happens: with/in dismay: Amanda read her exam results with dismay. | They stared at each other in dismay. | to sb s dismay: I found to my dismay that I had… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
