• n. 沮丧，灰心；惊慌
• vt. 使沮丧；使惊慌

dis-, 不，非，使相反。-may, 权力，力量，词源同may, might. 原指剥夺权力或者力量，引申义灰心，丧气。

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.

部长们表达了对持续进行的种族清洗的忧虑。

来自柯林斯例句

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

渔民对欧洲法庭的裁决感到失望。

来自柯林斯例句

3. The father's face stiffened with dismay.

父亲因为悲痛而面部表情凝重。

来自柯林斯例句

4. Local councillors have reacted with dismay and indignation.

地方政务委员的反应是惊恐和愤怒。

来自柯林斯例句

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

她无法掩饰自己对这一结果的惶恐不安。

来自《权威词典》