Dĕs'per-ā'tion, n.

n. [Lat. desperatio, O. Sp. desperacion, It. desperazione, disperazione.]

1. The act of despairing; a giving up of hope. “Desperation of success.” Hammond.
2. The state of despair, or hopelessness; abandonment of hope; disregard of consequences.

In the desperation of the moment, the officers even tried to cut their way through with their swords. W. Irving.