dismay
|dis/may|
B2
/dɪsˈmeɪ/
distress or anxiety
Etymology
Etymology Information
'dismay' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'desmaier,' where 'des-' meant 'away' and 'maier' meant 'to frighten.'
Historical Evolution
'desmaier' transformed into the Middle English word 'dismaien,' and eventually became the modern English word 'dismay.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to frighten or alarm,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to cause distress or anxiety.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a feeling of distress or anxiety, typically caused by something unexpected.
The news of the accident filled her with dismay.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45