2 de·sert
Pronounced:
/dɪˈzɚt/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
de·serts; de·sert·ed; de·sert·ingMeaning:
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.
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.
—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
—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.