Destitute
/ˈdɛs.tɪ.tjuːt/noun
Without the basic necessities of life; extremely poor or lacking.
Did you know?The word 'destitute' can be traced back to a Latin root meaning 'to abandon', linking it to themes of loss and despair in human experience.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
destitutus
“abandoned or forsaken, deprived of support.”
Old French
Old French
destitute
“deprived, lacking, or abandoned.”
Middle English
Middle English
destitute
“impoverished, lacking necessary resources.”
Modern English
English
destitute
“in a state of extreme poverty or deprivation.”
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