Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Destitute \Des"ti*tute\, a. [L. destitutus, p. p. of destituere
   to set away, leave alone, forsake; de + statuere to set. See
   {Statute}.]
   1. Forsaken; not having in possession (something necessary,
      or desirable); deficient; lacking; devoid; -- often
      followed by of.

            In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
                                                  --Ps. cxli. 8.

            Totally destitute of all shadow of influence.
                                                  --Burke.

   2. Not possessing the necessaries of life; in a condition of
      want; needy; without possessions or resources; very poor.

            They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins;
            being destitute, afflicted, tormented. --Heb. xi.
                                                  37.

Destitute \Des"ti*tute\, v. t.
   1. To leave destitute; to forsake; to abandon. [Obs.]

            To forsake or destitute a plantation. --Bacon.

   2. To make destitute; to cause to be in want; to deprive; --
      followed by of. [Obs.]

            Destituted of all honor and livings.  --Holinshed.

   3. To disappoint. [Obs.]

            When his expectation is destituted.   --Fotherby.

Source : WordNet®

destitute
     adj : poor enough to need help from others [syn: {impoverished}, {indigent},
            {necessitous}, {needy}, {poverty-stricken}]