desperation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a state in which all hope is lost or absent
    despair.
    • in the depths of despair
    • they were rescued from despair at the last minute
    • courage born of desperation
  2. noun desperate recklessness
    • it was a policy of desperation

WordNet

Des`per*a"tion noun
Etymology
L. desperatio: cf. OF. desperation.
Definitions
  1. The act of despairing or becoming desperate; a giving up of hope.
    This desperation of success chills all our industry. Hammond.
  2. A state of despair, or utter hopeless; abandonment of hope; extreme recklessness; reckless fury.
    In the desperation of the moment, the officers even tried to cut their way through with their swords. W. Irving.

Webster 1913