des|per|ate «DEHS puhr iht, DEHS priht», adjective.
1. not caring what happens because hope is gone; reckless because of despair; violent: »
Suicide is a desperate act.
2. ready to run any risk: »
a desperate robber.
3. having little chance for hope or cure; very dangerous or serious: »
a desperate illness.
5. hopeless: »
Lying is the last desperate resort of fools.
SYNONYM(S): See syn. under hopeless. (Cf. ↑hopeless)╂[< Latin dēspērātus, past participle of dēspērāre; see etym. under despair (Cf. ↑despair). See related etym. at desperado. (Cf. ↑desperado)]
–des´per|ate|ly, adverb.
–des´per|ate|ness, noun.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.