desolate
English
/ˈdɛsələt/, /ˈdɛsəleɪt/
adj
Definitions
- Deserted and devoid of inhabitants.
- Barren and lifeless.
- Made unfit for habitation or use because of neglect, destruction etc.
- Dismal or dreary.
- Sad, forlorn and hopeless.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English desolate derived from Latin dēsōlātus, desolatus.
Origin
Latin
dēsōlātus, desolatus
Gloss
Timeline
Distribution of cognates by language
Geogrpahic distribution of cognates
Cognates and derived terms
- desolately English
- desolateness English
- desolater English
- desolatory English
- dēsōlāre Latin
- dēsōlātus, desolatus Latin
- sōlus Latin
- desolare Italian
- désoler French
- desolar Spanish, Castilian
- desolar Portuguese
- desolação Portuguese
- desolate Middle English