2de·sert 
/dɪˈzɚt/ verb
de·serts; de·sert·ed; de·sert·ing /dɪˈzɚt/ verb 1 [+ obj] : to go away from (a place) : to leave (a place)
▪ The inhabitants had deserted the town. ▪ If the nest is disturbed, the bird may desert [=abandon] it. 2 [+ obj] : to leave and stop helping or supporting (someone or something)
▪ She had been married for just over a year when her husband deserted her. ▪ He was deserted by his friends and family. ▪ He vowed that he would never desert [=abandon] a friend in trouble. ▪ He urged people not to desert the cause. [=not to stop supporting the cause] 3 [+ obj] of a useful quality or ability : to no longer be with (someone) in a time of need
▪ The soldiers prayed that their courage would not desert them. [=that they would not lose their courage] ▪ She was a respected academic until late in life when her memory deserted her. [=she lost her ability to remember things] 4 [no obj] of a soldier : to leave the military without permission and without intending to return
▪ Many soldiers deserted during the first weeks of the war.
▪ The inhabitants had deserted the town. ▪ If the nest is disturbed, the bird may desert [=abandon] it.
▪ She had been married for just over a year when her husband deserted her. ▪ He was deserted by his friends and family. ▪ He vowed that he would never desert [=abandon] a friend in trouble. ▪ He urged people not to desert the cause. [=not to stop supporting the cause]
▪ The soldiers prayed that their courage would not desert them. [=that they would not lose their courage] ▪ She was a respected academic until late in life when her memory deserted her. [=she lost her ability to remember things]
▪ Many soldiers deserted during the first weeks of the war.
— deserted adjective
▪ The town was deserted. [=there were no people in the town] ▪ We came upon a deserted [=abandoned] old hotel. ▪ a deserted street/road ▪ deserted wives/husbands/children
▪ The town was deserted. [=there were no people in the town] ▪ We came upon a deserted [=abandoned] old hotel. ▪ a deserted street/road ▪ deserted wives/husbands/children
— de·ser·tion /dɪˈzɚʃən/ noun, plural de·ser·tions
[noncount] ▪ the mysterious desertion of the town by its inhabitants ▪ He was guilty of desertion during wartime. [count] ▪ The military has reported 350 desertions.
/dɪˈzɚʃən/ noun, plural de·ser·tions [noncount] ▪ the mysterious desertion of the town by its inhabitants ▪ He was guilty of desertion during wartime. [count] ▪ The military has reported 350 desertions.
