[des.o.late] adj [ME desolat, fr. L desolatus, pp. of desolare to abandon, fr. de- + solus alone] (14c) 1: devoid of inhabitants and visitors: deserted
2: joyless, disconsolate, and sorrowful through or as if through separation from a loved one 3 a: showing the effects of abandonment and neglect: dilapidated b: barren, lifeless "a ~ landscape" c: devoid of warmth, comfort, or hope: gloomy "~ memories" syn see alone -- des.o.late.ly adv -- des.o.late.ness n
[2]des.o.late vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing (14c): to make desolate: a: to deprive of inhabitants b: to lay waste c: forsake d: to make wretched -- des.o.lat.er or des.o.la.tor n -- des.o.lat.ing.ly adv