Etymology Map
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Dismay

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means distress caused by something unexpected

Where does the word "dismay" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin exmagare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
exmagare
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to deprive of strength"
a Vulgar Latin coinage from a Germanic root related to 'may' and 'might'
2
Stage 2 of 3
desmaier
Old French · medieval
"to be dismayed"
literally 'to un-might', to lose one's power
3
Stage 3 of 3
dismay
English · 1300s
"to discourage"
kept the idea of sudden loss of courage
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Read the full story

Dismay’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: exmagare meant “to deprive of strength.” A Vulgar Latin coinage from a Germanic root related to 'may' and 'might'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as desmaier. Literally 'to un-might', to lose one's power. It reached English by 1300s as dismay. Kept the idea of sudden loss of courage. Today, dismay means distress caused by something unexpected.