Main Entry:

dis·cour·age

Pronunciation:

\dis-ˈkər-ij, -ˈkə-rij\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

dis·cour·aged; dis·cour·ag·ing

Etymology:

Middle English discoragen, from Middle French descorager, from Old French descoragier, from des- dis- + corage courage

Date:

15th century

1: to deprive of courage or confidence : dishearten <was discouraged by repeated failure>2 a: to hinder by disfavoring <trying to discourage absenteeism> b: to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something <tried to discourage her from going>

— dis·cour·age·able \-jə-bəl\ adjective

— dis·cour·ag·er noun

— dis·cour·ag·ing·ly \-jiŋ-lē\ adverb