Chapfallen

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃæpfɔːlən/

Definitions

1. This term refers to someone who displays a demeanor of disappointment or sadness, often as a result of experiencing a setback or emotional letdown
2. It characterizes an individual whose appearance or mood signifies a profound sense of dejection and loss, typically in relation to expectations not met
3. A person displaying a crestfallen expression often indicates feelings of sorrow or discouragement stemming from unmet hopes or disappointments

Etymology: "Chapfallen" is "chap" (an old word for the jaw, related to "chop" and "chops") combined with "fallen." The image is literal: a person whose lower jaw drops in dismay looks like they have let their jaw sink. Since "chap" in this sense refers to the jaw, the word was once a plain physical description before it became a figure for low spirits. The "chap" in this word is the same "chap" that appears in "chapfallen" and "chops," meaning the jaws or cheeks, and it is unrelated to the familiar "chap" meaning a man. Readers often assume the two are connected, but the jaw sense is the one at work here. The "fallen" part follows the same pattern as "crestfallen," which uses the image of a drooping crest, such as a bird's or a rooster's comb. Both words pair an animal or body part with the idea of something sinking, and both describe a visible sign of disappointment.

Synonyms: dejected, disheartened

Antonyms: cheerful, elated