Definition of "heart-sinking" [heart-sinking]

• Despondency; discouragement. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "There were days of high temperature and delirium; days of heart-sinking when Strang's pulse was barely perceptible; days when he lay conscious, eyes weary and drawn, the sweat of pain on his face."
• "But first-timer Rosie Alison faced the same repeated heart-sinking rejection by publishers as many others, which perhaps made her shortlisting today for the 2010 Orange prize all the sweeter."
• "In this case, I picture the judges, weary from perusing massive laser-printed works of heart-sinking merit, suddenly rejoicing at the discovery of a manuscript as engaging as this one, absolutely assured in its tone, literary sophistication and satirical humor."