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