Part 218

The Destinies (Anc. Myth.), the three Parcæ, or Fates; the supposed powers which preside over human life, and determine its circumstances and duration.

Marked by the Destinies to be avoided.

Shak.

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De*stit"u*ent (?; 135), a. [L. destituens, p. pr. of destituere.] Deficient; wanting; as, a destituent condition. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

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.

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.

Des"ti*tute*ly, adv. In destitution.

Des"ti*tute*ness, n. Destitution. [R.] Ash.

Des`ti*tu"tion (?), n. [L. destitutio a forsaking.] The state of being deprived of anything; the state or condition of being destitute, needy, or without resources; deficiency; lack; extreme poverty; utter want; as, the inundation caused general destitution.

{ Des*trer" (?), Dex"trer (?) }, n. [OF. destrier, fr. L. dextra on the right side. The squire led his master's horse beside him, on his right hand. Skeat.] A war horse. [Obs.] Chaucer.

De*strie" (?), v. t. To destroy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

De*stroy" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Destroyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Destroying.] [OE. destroien, destruien, destrien, OF. destruire, F. détruire, fr. L. destruere, destructum; de + struere to pile up, build. See Structure.] 1. To unbuild; to pull or tear down; to separate virulently into its constituent parts; to break up the structure and organic existence of; to demolish.