Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Despair \De*spair"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Despaired}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Despairing}.] [OE. despeiren, dispeiren, OF.
   desperer, fr. L. desperare; de- + sperare to hope; akin to
   spes hope, and perh. to spatium space, E. space, speed; cf.
   OF. espeir hope, F. espoir. Cf. {Prosper}, {Desperate}.]
   To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or
   expectation; -- often with of.

         We despaired even of life.               --2 Cor. i. 8.

         Never despair of God's blessings here.   --Wake.

   Syn: See {Despond}.

Despairing \De*spair"ing\, a.
   Feeling or expressing despair; hopeless. --
   {De*spair"ing*ly}, adv. -- {De*spair"ing*ness}, n.

Source : WordNet®

despairing
     adj : arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope; "a
           despairing view of the world situation"; "the last
           despairing plea of the condemned criminal"; "a
           desperate cry for help"; "helpless and desperate--as if
           at the end of his tether"; "her desperate screams"
           [syn: {desperate}]