— destitutely , adv. — destituteness , n.
/des"ti tooht', -tyooht'/ , adj., v., destituted, destituting .
adj.
1. without means of subsistence; lacking food, clothing, and shelter.
2. deprived of, devoid of, or lacking (often fol. by of ): destitute of children.
v.t.
3. to leave destitute.
[ 1350-1400; ME destitutus (ptp. of destituere to abandon, deprive of support), equiv. to de- DE- + stit- place, put (comb. form of statuere; see STATUTE) + -u- thematic vowel + -tus ptp. suffix ]
Syn. 1. needy, poor, indigent, necessitous, penniless, impoverished. 2. deficient.
Ant. 1. affluent.