Desert
WordNet
adjective
(1) Located in a dismal or remote area; desolate
"A desert island"
"A godforsaken wilderness crossroads"
"A wild stretch of land"
"Waste places"
noun
(2) Arid land with little or no vegetation
verb
(3) Leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
"The mother deserted her children"
(4) 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"
WiktionaryText
Etymology 1
from the . This in turn is from the
Noun
- That which is considered to be deserved or merited; a just punishment or reward
Etymology 2
or , from , from , past participle of , or from the
Noun
- A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.
Etymology 3
, from , from , from
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.
- To leave one's duty or post, especially to leave a military or naval unit without permission
- Anyone found deserting will be shot.