[dez-ert] 
| 1. | a region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all: The Sahara is a vast sandy desert. |
| 2. | any area in which few forms of life can exist because of lack of water, permanent frost, or absence of soil. |
| 3. | an area of the ocean in which it is believed no marine life exists. |
| 4. | (formerly) any unsettled area between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains thought to be unsuitable for human habitation. |
| 5. | any place lacking in something: The town was a cultural desert. |
| 6. | of, pertaining to, or like a desert; desolate; barren. |
| 7. | occurring, living, or flourishing in the desert: a desert tribe; a desert palm. |
| 8. | designed or suitable for wear in the desert, as cool, protective clothing: a big, wide-brimmed desert hat. |
[di-zur-tik] , adjective [di-zurt] | 1. | to leave (a person, place, etc.) without intending to return, esp. in violation of a duty, promise, or the like: He deserted his wife. |
| 2. | (of military personnel) to leave or run away from (service, duty, etc.) with the intention of never returning. |
| 3. | to fail (someone) at a time of need: None of his friends had deserted him. |
| 4. | to forsake or leave one's duty, obligations, etc. (sometimes fol. by from, to, etc.): Many deserted during the food shortage. |
| 5. | (of military personnel) to leave service, duty, etc., with no intention of returning: Troops were deserting to the enemy. |
| de·sert 3 (dĭ-zûrt') v. de·sert·ed, de·sert·ing, de·serts v. tr.
To forsake one's duty or post, especially to be absent without leave from the armed forces with no intention of returning. [French déserter, from Late Latin dēsertāre, frequentative of Latin dēserere, to abandon : dē-, de- + serere, to join; see ser-2 in Indo-European roots.] de·sert'er n. |