/ ˌdesəˈleɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U ] ( formal )
1.
the feeling of being very lonely and unhappy
2.
the state of a place that is ruined or destroyed and offers no joy or hope to people :
a scene of utter desolation
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from late Latin desolatio(n-) , from Latin desolare to abandon, from de- thoroughly + solus alone.