Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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. i.]
   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.

Source : WordNet®

dismaying
     adj : causing consternation; "appalling conditions" [syn: {appalling}]