English Vocabulary (A - D)

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desperate

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

des·per·ate / ˈdespərit/ • adj. feeling, showing, or involving a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with: a desperate sadness enveloped Ruth. ∎ (of an act or attempt) tried in despair or when everything else has failed; having little hope of success: drugs used in a desperate attempt to save his life. ∎ (of a situation) extremely bad, serious, or dangerous: there is a desperate shortage of teachers. ∎ (of a person) having a great need or desire for something: I am desperate for a cigarette | the government is desperate to clean up Rio's streets. ∎ (of a person or fight) violent or dangerous: a desperate criminal a desperate struggle. DERIVATIVES: des·per·ate·ness n.

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desperate

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

desperate Desperate Dan the enormous stubble-chinned cowboy in a cartoon strip in the Dandy comic, noted for his fondness for cow pies containing the whole animal.
desperate diseases must have desperate remedies in a difficult or dangerous situation it may be necessary to take extreme and risky measures, recorded from the mid 16th century. The comment ‘A desperate disease requires a dangerous remedy’ has been attributed to Guy Fawkes (1570–1606), conspirator in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The proverb is found in many variant forms, and can be compared with a Latin saying, ‘extremis malis extrema remedia [extreme remedies for extreme ills].’

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "desperate." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "desperate." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-desperate.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "desperate." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-desperate.html

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desperate

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

desperate XV. — L. dēspērātus despaired, OF. pp. of dēspērāre despair, f. DE- 6 + spērāre hope; see -ATE 2.
So desperation XIV. — OF. — L.

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T. F. HOAD. "desperate." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "desperate." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-desperate.html

T. F. HOAD. "desperate." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-desperate.html

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desperate

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

desperate •gamut •imamate, marmot •animate •approximate, proximate •estimate, guesstimate, underestimate •illegitimate, legitimate •intimate •penultimate, ultimate •primate • foumart • consummate •Dermot •discarnate, incarnate •impregnate • rabbinate •coordinate, inordinate, subordinate, superordinate •infinite • laminate • effeminate •discriminate • innominate •determinate • Palatinate • pectinate •obstinate • agglutinate • designate •tribunate • importunate • Arbuthnot •bicarbonate • umbonate • fortunate •pulmonate •compassionate, passionate •affectionate •extortionate, proportionate •sultanate • companionate •principate • Rupert • episcopate •carat, carrot, claret, garret, karat, parrot •emirate • aspirate • vertebrate •levirate •duumvirate, triumvirate •pirate • quadrat • accurate • indurate •obdurate •Meerut, vizierate •priorate • curate • elaborate •deliberate • confederate •considerate, desiderate •immoderate, moderate •ephorate •imperforate, perforate •agglomerate, conglomerate •numerate •degenerate, regenerate •separate • temperate • desperate •disparate • corporate • professorate •commensurate • pastorate •inveterate •directorate, electorate, inspectorate, protectorate, rectorate •illiterate, literate, presbyterate •doctorate • Don Quixote • marquisate •concert • cushat • precipitate

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Desperate times.(Daily Break) Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 2/4/2005
	Desperate or Footballers? You decide.(News) Newspaper article from: Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales); 3/31/2005
	Desperate Fishwives bring a dash o' Doric; Sitcom celebrates North-East... Newspaper article from: Daily Mail (London); 12/19/2009