I. ˈde-sə-lət, ˈde-zə- adjective
Etymology: Middle English desolat, from Latin desolatus, past participle of desolare to abandon, from de- + solus alone
Date: 14th century
1. : devoid of inhabitants and visitors : deserted
2. : joyless, disconsolate, and sorrowful through or as if through separation from a loved one
a desolate widow
3.
a. : showing the effects of abandonment and neglect : dilapidated
a desolate old house
b. : barren , lifeless
a desolate landscape
c. : devoid of warmth, comfort, or hope : gloomy
desolate memories
Synonyms: see alone , dismal
• des·o·late·ly adverb
• des·o·late·ness noun
II. -ˌlāt transitive verb
( -lat·ed ; -lat·ing )
Date: 14th century
: 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 -ˌlā-tər noun
• des·o·lat·ing·ly -ˌlā-tiŋ-lē adverb