Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DES-O-LA'TION, n.

1. The act of desolating; destruction or expulsion of inhabitants; destruction; ruin; waste. Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. – Matth.xii.
2. A place deprived of inhabitants, or otherwise wasted, ravaged and ruined. How is Babylon become a desolation among the nations. – Jer. i.
3. A desolate state; gloominess; sadness; destitution. – Shak. Thomson. The abomination of desolation, Roman armies which ravaged and destroyed Jerusalem. – Matth. xxiv.