GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Desert (dḗ‑zẽrtˈ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deserted; p. pr. & vb. n. Deserting.] [Cf. L. desertus, p. p. of deserere to desert, F. déserter. See 2d Desert.]
   1. To leave (especially something which one should stay by and support); to leave in the lurch; to abandon; to forsake; -- implying blame, except sometimes when used of localities; as, “to desert a friend, a principle, a cause, one's country”. “The deserted fortress.”  Prescott.
   
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   2. (Mil.) To abandon (the service) without leave; to forsake in violation of duty; to abscond from; as, “to desert the army; to desert one's colors.”
   
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2.       
   deserted adj.
   1. having no residents; as, “deserted villages”.
   
   Syn. -- uninhabited.
   
   [WordNet 1.5]
   
   
   2.  no longer used by people.
   
   Syn. -- abandoned, derelict.
   
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   3. remote from civilization; as, “the victim was lured to a deserted spot”.
   
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   4.  being left by another without support or assistance; left in the lurch; -- of people; as, “deserted wives and children”. In this sense, the label implies some level of dependence of the person(s) being deserted on those deserting them.