Hope (?), n. [Cf. Icel. hōp a small bay or inlet.]

1. A sloping plain between mountain ridges. [Obs.]

2. A small bay; an inlet; a haven. [Scot.] Jamieson.

Hope , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hoped (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Hoping.] [AS. hopian; akin to D. hopen, Sw. hopp?, Dan. haabe, G. hoffen. See 2nd Hope.]

1. To entertain or indulge hope; to cherish a desire of good, or of something welcome, with expectation of obtaining it or belief that it is obtainable; to expect; -- usually followed by for. "Hope for good success." Jer. Taylor.

But I will hope continually. Ps. lxxi. 14.

2. To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; -- usually followed by in. "I hope in thy word." Ps. cxix. 81.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God. Ps. xlii. 11.

Hope , n. [AS., akin to D. hoop, hope, Sw. hopp, Dan. haab, MHG. hoffe. Hope in forlorn hope is different word. See Forlorn hope, under Forlorn.]

1.A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.

"The hypocrites hope shall perish." Job vii. 13.

He wished, but not with hope. Milton.

New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven. Keble.

2. One who, or that which, gives hope, furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good.

The Lord will be the hope of his people. Joel iii. 16.

A young gentleman of great hopes, whose love of learning was highly commendable. Macaulay.

3. That which is hoped for; an object of hope.

"Lavina is thine elder brothers hope." Shak.

Hope (?), v. t.

1.To desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility or prospect of obtaining; to look forward to as a thing desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it; to cherish hopes of.

We hope no other from your majesty. Shak.

[Charity] hopeth all things. 1 Cor. xiii. 7.

2. To expect; to fear. [Obs.] "I hope he will be dead." Chaucer.

☞ Hope is often used colloquially regarding uncertainties, with no reference to the future. "I hope she takes me to be flesh and blood." Mrs. Centlivre.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913