'desolate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'desolatus,' where 'de-' meant 'thoroughly' and 'solare' meant 'to make lonely.'

'desolatus' transformed into the Old French word 'desolat,' and eventually became the modern English word 'desolate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to make lonely or uninhabited,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'bleak or empty.'