destitute

/ˈde-stə-ˌtüt/

Middle English, from Latin destitutus, past participle of destituere to abandon, deprive, from de- + statuere to set up

adjective

  1. lacking something needed or desirable

  2. lacking possessions and resources; especially : suffering extreme poverty

a lake destitute of fish

noun

  1. people who are extremely poor : needy, people

The charity provides food and clothing for the destitute.