Desolate \Des"o*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Desolated}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Desolating}.]
   1. To make desolate; to leave alone; to deprive of
      inhabitants; as, the earth was nearly desolated by the
      flood.
      
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   2. To lay waste; to ruin; to ravage; as, a fire desolates a
      city.
      
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            Constructed in the very heart of a desolating war.
                                                  --Sparks.
      
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Desolate \Des"o*late\, a. [L. desolatus, p. p. of desolare to
   leave alone, forsake; de- + solare to make lonely, solus
   alone. See {Sole}, a.]
   1. Destitute or deprived of inhabitants; deserted;
      uninhabited; hence, gloomy; as, a desolate isle; a
      desolate wilderness; a desolate house.
      
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            I will make Jerusalem . . . a den of dragons, and I
            will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an
            inhabitant.                           --Jer. ix. 11.
      
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            And the silvery marish flowers that throng
            The desolate creeks and pools among.  --Tennyson.
      
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   2. Laid waste; in a ruinous condition; neglected; destroyed;
      as, desolate altars.
      
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   3. Left alone; forsaken; lonely; comfortless.
      
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            Have mercy upon, for I am desolate.   --Ps. xxv. 16.
      
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            Voice of the poor and desolate.       --Keble.
      
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   4. Lost to shame; dissolute. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
      
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   5. Destitute of; lacking in. [Obs.]
      
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            I were right now of tales desolate.   --Chaucer.

   Syn: Desert; uninhabited; lonely; waste.
        
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