Origin: 1325–75; ME < L
dēsōlātus forsaken, ptp. of
dēsōlāre, equiv. to
dē- de- +
sōlāre to make lonely, deriv. of
sōlus sole 1 ; see -ate 1 
Related forms: des⋅o⋅late⋅ly, adverb
des⋅o⋅late⋅ness, noun
des⋅o⋅lat⋅er, des⋅o⋅la⋅tor, noun
Synonyms:
1. ravaged. 2. desert. 4. lonesome, lost; miserable, wretched, woebegone, woeful, inconsolable, cheerless, hopeless. Desolate, disconsolate, forlorn suggest one who is in a sad and wretched condition. The desolate person is deprived of human consolation, relationships, or presence: desolate and despairing. The disconsolate person is aware of the efforts of others to console and comfort, but is unable to be relieved or cheered by them: She remained disconsolate even in the midst of friends. The forlorn person is lost, deserted, or forsaken by friends: wretched and forlorn in a strange city. 6. ravage, ruin. 8. sadden, depress. 9. desert.
Antonyms:
4. delighted, happy.
[adj. des-uh-lit; v. des-uh-leyt] 
adjective, verb, -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.