despair (v.) Copy link Outline 1. despēro, 1 (foll. by abl. with de or alone; also by the acc. of that which is not hoped for, as, desperare salutem; by dat. of person on whose behalf hope is given up; by acc. and inf.)2. spem abjicio, perdo (foll. by gen.) • despair (v.): 1. despēro, 1 (foll. by abl. with de or alone; also by the acc. of that which is not hoped for, as, desperare salutem; by dat. of person on whose behalf hope is given up; by acc. and inf.): to d. of the state, de republica d., Cic.: to d. of one's fortunes, suis fortunis d., Cic.: to d. of oneself, sibi d., Cic.: he d.s of being able to enjoy, desperat posse frui, Ov.: Cic.: I do not yet d. of Marcellinus, Marcellinum nondum d., Sen.: Cic.: also absol.: to have some hope of (winning) the tribune of the plebs, to have d.'d of the senate, spem habere a tribuno plebis, a senatu desperasse, Cic.: impers.: 'tis base to d., turpiter desperatur, Quint. 2. spem abjicio, perdo (foll. by gen.): Cic. Phr.: I do not altogether d., nor do I greatly hope, nec nulla spes (est), nec magna, Cic.: I do not d., (res) in spe est, Cic.