destitute

views updated May 29 2018

des·ti·tute / ˈdestiˌt(y)oōt/ • adj. without the basic necessities of life: the charity cares for destitute children. ∎  (destitute of) not having: towns destitute of commerce.DERIVATIVES: des·ti·tu·tion / ˌdestiˈt(y)oōshən/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

destitute

views updated May 21 2018

destitute †abandoned, forsaken, forlorn XIV; devoid of XV; bereft of resources XVIII. — L. dēstitūtus forsaken, pp. of dēstituere, f. DE- 1, 2 + statuere set up, place.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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