† eˈsmay, v. Obs.
See also amay, asmay.
[a. OF. esmaie-r to trouble = Pr. esmagar, esmaiar, It. smagare:—med.L. *exmagāre, f. ex- out + -mag- (whence *dismagāre: see dismay), usually believed to be of Teut. origin; cf. OHG. magan to be able: see may v.]
trans. and refl. = dismay.
| 1393 Gower Conf. I. 281, I am..so distempred and so esmaied. Ibid. II. 239 But Jason wolde him nought esmaie. 1475 Caxton Jason 76 Appollo on this..began to rise abasshed and esmayed of this werke. 1483 ― Gold. Leg. 153/2 But he was gretely esmayed how he myght burye the body. |