desperation

Des`per*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. desperatio: cf. OF. desperation.] 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.

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