Desperate \Des"per*ate\, n.
   One desperate or hopeless. [Obs.]
   
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Desperate \Des"per*ate\, a. [L. desperatus, p. p. of desperare.
   See {Despair}, and cf. {Desperado}.]
   1. Without hope; given to despair; hopeless. [Obs.]
      
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            I am desperate of obtaining her.      --Shak.
      
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   2. Beyond hope; causing despair; extremely perilous;
      irretrievable; past cure, or, at least, extremely
      dangerous; as, a desperate disease; desperate fortune.
      
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   3. Proceeding from, or suggested by, despair; without regard
      to danger or safety; reckless; furious; as, a desperate
      effort. "Desperate expedients." --Macaulay.
      
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   4. Extreme, in a bad sense; outrageous; -- used to mark the
      extreme predominance of a bad quality.
      
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            A desperate offendress against nature. --Shak.
      
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            The most desperate of reprobates.     --Macaulay.

   Syn: Hopeless; despairing; desponding; rash; headlong;
        precipitate; irretrievable; irrecoverable; forlorn; mad;
        furious; frantic.
        
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