Where does “destitution” come from?

Destitution comes from Old French destitution, from Latin destitutio, derived from Latin statuo meaning "to set or establish," combined with the prefix de-, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European steh₂- meaning "to stand."

destitution (English): The action of deserting or abandoning; Discharge...

Definitions

  1. The action of deserting or abandoning; Discharge...

Ancestry of “destitution”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Frenchdestitution
2Latindēstitūtiōdesertion
3Latin-tiōtion, -ation, -ing
4Latindissertātiō(spoken) dissertation, discourse, disquisition
5Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
6Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
7Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
8Latincalceusshoe
9Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
10Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξEvery word from Latin -tiōEvery word from Latin dis-
destitution — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer