Etymology of the English word desolate
the English word
desolatederived from the Latin word
desolatus (desolate; empty)
derived from the Latin word
desolare (forsake, abandon, desert)
using the Late Latin prefix
de-derived from the Latin word
de (away; down)
derived from the Late Latin word
solus (only, single; lonely)
Date
The earliest known usage of desolate in English dates from the 14th century.
Derivations in English
desolated,
desolatingCognates
Dutch
desolaat, French
désolant, German
desolatUsage
Word found in Modern English
