• n. 沮喪，灰心；驚慌
• vt. 使沮喪；使驚慌

dis-, 不，非，使相反。-may, 權力，力量，詞源同may, might. 原指剝奪權力或者力量，引申義灰心，喪氣。

dismay

dismay: [13] The underlying meaning of dismay is ‘deprive of power’ – its second syllable is ultimately the same word as the verb may. It comes via Old French desmaier from Vulgar Latin *dismagāre ‘deprive of power’, a compound verb formed from the prefix dis- ‘un-’ and the borrowed Germanic base *mag- ‘power, ability’ (source of English may).
=> may

dismay (v.)

late 13c., dismaien, from Old French *desmaier (attested only in past participle dismaye), from Latin de- intensive prefix + Old French esmaier "to trouble, disturb," from Vulgar Latin *exmagare "divest of power or ability" (source of Italian smagare "to weaken, dismay, discourage"), from ex- (see ex-) + Germanic stem *mag- "power, ability" (cognates: Old High German magen "to be powerful or able;" see may (v.)). Spanish desmayer "to be dispirited" is a loan word from Old French. Related: Dismayed; dismaying.

dismay (n.)

c. 1300, from dismay (v.).

1. The ministers expressed dismay at the continued practice of ethnic cleansing.

部長們表達了對持續進行的種族清洗的憂慮。

來自柯林斯例句

2. The European Court's decision has been greeted with dismay by fishermen.

漁民對歐洲法庭的裁決感到失望。

來自柯林斯例句

3. The father's face stiffened with dismay.

父親因為悲痛而面部表情凝重。

來自柯林斯例句

4. Local councillors have reacted with dismay and indignation.

地方政務委員的反應是驚恐和憤怒。

來自柯林斯例句

5. She could not hide her dismay at the result.

她無法掩飾自己對這一結果的惶恐不安。

來自《權威詞典》