destitute

The definition of destitute refers to not having the basic necessities of life.

(adjective)

An example of destitute is a homeless person with no money.

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See destitute in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. not having; being without; lacking (with of): destitute of trees
  2. lacking the necessities of life; living in complete poverty
  3. Obsolete abandoned; forsaken

Origin: ME < L destitutus, pp. of destituere, to forsake, abandon < de-, down, away + statuere, to set, place: see statute

See destitute in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Utterly lacking; devoid: Young recruits destitute of any experience.
  2. Lacking resources or the means of subsistence; completely impoverished. See Synonyms at poor.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin dēstitūtus

Origin: , past participle of dēstituere, to abandon

Origin: : dē-, de-

Origin: + statuere, to set; see stā- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • desˈti·tuteˌness noun

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