v.
- cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm.
- prevent or try to prevent by showing disapproval or creating difficulties.
▸
(discourage someone from)
persuade someone against (an action).
Derivative
- discouragement n.
- discouraging adj.
- discouragingly adv.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. descouragier, from des- (expressing reversal) + corage ‘courage’.