Dis·may v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dismayed p. pr. & vb. n. Dismaying.]
1. To disable with alarm or apprehensions; to depress the spirits or courage of; to deprive or firmness and energy through fear; to daunt; to appall; to terrify.
Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. --Josh. i. 9.
What words be these? What fears do you dismay? --Fairfax.
2. To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet. [Obs.]
Do not dismay yourself for this. --Spenser.
Syn: -- To terrify; fright; affright; frighten; appall; daunt; dishearthen; dispirit; discourage; deject; depress. -- To Dismay, Daunt, Appall. Dismay denotes a state of deep and gloomy apprehension. To daunt supposes something more sudden and startling. To appall is the strongest term, implying a sense of terror which overwhelms the faculties.
So flies a herd of beeves, that hear, dismayed,
The lions roaring through the midnight shade. --Pope.
Jove got such heroes as my sire, whose soul
No fear could daunt, nor earth nor hell control. --Pope.
Now the last ruin the whole host appalls;
Now Greece has trembled in her wooden walls. --Pope.
dismayed
adj : struck with fear, dread, or consternation [syn: aghast(p),
appalled, shocked]