| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024des•per•ate /ˈdɛspərɪt/USA pronunciation adj. - wild, reckless, or dangerous because of despair:a desperate killer.
- having an urgent need, desire, etc.: [ be + ~ + for]:desperate for attention.[ be + ~ + to + verb]:desperate to succeed.
- leaving little or no hope;
very serious or dangerous:a desperate illness. - making a final effort;
giving all:a desperate attempt to save a life. - extreme or excessive:desperate need.
des•per•ate•ly, adv. See -sper-. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024des•per•ate (des′pər it, -prit),USA pronunciation adj. - reckless or dangerous because of despair or urgency:a desperate killer.
- having an urgent need, desire, etc.:desperate for attention.
- leaving little or no hope;
very serious or dangerous:a desperate illness. - extremely bad;
intolerable or shocking:clothes in desperate taste. - extreme or excessive.
- making a final, ultimate effort;
giving all:a desperate attempt to save a life. - actuated by a feeling of hopelessness.
- having no hope;
giving in to despair.
n. - [Obs.]a desperado.
- Latin dēspērātus, past participle of dēspērāre to despair; see -ate1
- Middle English 1350–1400
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged rash, frantic.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged grave. See hopeless.
- 8.See corresponding entry in Unabridged forlorn, desolate.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged careful.
- 3, 8.See corresponding entry in Unabridged hopeful.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: desperate /ˈdɛspərɪt -prɪt/ adj - careless of danger, as from despair; utterly reckless
- (of an act) reckless; risky
- used or undertaken in desperation or as a last resort: desperate measures
- critical; very grave: in desperate need
- often postpositive and followed by for: in distress and having a great need or desire
- moved by or showing despair or hopelessness; despairing
Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin dēspērāre to have no hope; see despairˈdesperately adv ˈdesperateness n |