desert

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   leave behind

   the students deserted the campus after the end of exam period

2. 2
   verb

   desert (a cause, a country or an army), often in order to join the opposing cause, country, or army

   If soldiers deserted Hitler's army, they were shot

3. 3
   noun

   A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.

   And ye poore Pilgrimes, that vvith reſtleſſe toyle VVearie your ſelues in vvandring deſert vvayes […]

4. 4
   noun

   Any barren place or situation.

   He declared that the country was an intellectual desert; that he was famishing for spiritual aliment, and for discourse on matters beyond mere nuggets, prospectings, and the price of gold.

5. 5
   adj

   Usually of a place: abandoned, deserted, or uninhabited.

   They were marooned on a desert island in the Pacific.

6. 6
   verb

   To leave (anything that depends on one's presence to survive, exist, or succeed), especially when contrary to a promise or obligation; to abandon; to forsake.

   You can't just drive off and desert me here, in the middle of nowhere.

7. 7
   verb

   To leave one's duty or post, especially to leave a military or naval unit without permission.

   Anyone found deserting will be punished.

8. 8
   noun

   That which is deserved or merited; a just punishment or reward.

   just deserts

Etymology

From Middle English desert (“wilderness”), from Old French desert, from Latin dēsertum, past participle of dēserō (“to abandon”). Generally displaced native Old English wēsten. False cognate of Egyptian dšrt.