desert
Cross references:
1. abandon
1. des.ert \'dez-*rt\ \di-'z*rt-ik\ n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL desertum, fr. L,
neut. of desertus, pp. of d]eserere to desert, fr. de- + serere to join
together - more at SERIES archaic 1: a wild uninhabited and uncultivated
tract : WILDERNESS 2: an arid barren tract incapable of supporting any
considerable population without an artificial water supply 3: a desolating
or forbidding prospect - de.ser.tic aj
2. des.ert \'dez-*rt\ aj archaic 1: FORSAKEN 2: desolate and sparsely
occupied or unoccupied 3: of or relating to a desert
3. de.sert \di-'z*rt\ n [ME deserte, fr. OF, fr. fem. of desert, pp. of
deservir to d]eserve 1: the quality or fact of being deserving of reward or
punishment 2: deserved reward or punishment 3: EXCELLENCE, WORTH
4. de.sert \di-'z*rt\ vb [F de`serter, fr. LL desertare, fr. L desertus] 1:
to withdraw from : LEAVE 2a: to leave in the lurch : ABANDON 2b: to
abandon (military service) without leave 3: to fail (one) in time of need
: to quit one's post, allegiance, or service without leave; specif : to
absent oneself without leave from a military post, station, or duty with
intent to remain away permanently - deserter n