The spelling of the word "despairs" can be tricky for non-native English speakers as it includes the silent letter "s". The word is pronounced as /dɪˈspɛrz/ (dih-SPAIRZ) with the emphasis on the second syllable. This is because the "s" at the end of the word is silent and the "ai" combination creates the "ey" sound. "Despairs" is the plural form of "despair", a noun that refers to the feeling of hopelessness or loss of faith. The verb form of "despair" means to lose all hope.
Despairs is a noun that refers to a state of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and discouragement. It is the feeling of being overwhelmed by negative emotions and losing any sense of optimism or belief in a positive outcome. Despairs often result from significant or prolonged distress, frustration, or failure, leading individuals to question their abilities, lose faith in themselves, and give up on finding a solution to their problems.
When a person experiences despairs, they may feel a sense of helplessness, as if there is no way out or no chance for improvement. They may suffer from low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, and a deep sense of melancholy. This state of mind can also manifest physically, with symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or insomnia.
Despairs can be caused by various factors, such as personal losses, disappointments, trauma, chronic pain, mental illness, or challenging life circumstances. It is important to note that despairs is different from temporary sadness or grief. While sadness may be a normal response to negative events, despairs represents a more intense, ongoing emotional state in which the individual may struggle to regain a sense of hope and purpose in life.
Overcoming despairs often requires the support of loved ones, therapy, or other professional interventions. It may involve reassessing one's perspective, seeking help for underlying mental health issues, or developing coping strategies to manage negative thoughts and emotions.
The word "despairs" originates from the Middle English word "despeiren", which is derived from the Old French word "desperer". This Old French term comes from the Latin word "desperare", which is a combination of the prefix "de-" (meaning "down" or "thoroughly") and "sperare" (meaning "to hope"). Therefore, the etymology of "despairs" suggests a sense of losing hope or feeling extreme sadness.