desertion

[ dih-zur-shuhn ]
See synonyms for desertion on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the act of deserting or the state of being deserted.

  2. Law. willful abandonment, especially of one's spouse without consent, in violation of legal or moral obligations.

  1. an act of leaving military service or duty without the intention of returning.

Origin of desertion

1
1585–95; <Late Latin dēsertiōn- (stem of dēsertiō) <Latin dēsert(us) (see desert1) + -iōn--ion

Other words from desertion

  • pre·de·ser·tion, noun
  • self-de·ser·tion, noun

Words Nearby desertion

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How to use desertion in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for desertion

desertion

/ (dɪˈzɜːʃən) /


noun
  1. the act of deserting or abandoning or the state of being deserted or abandoned

  2. law wilful abandonment, esp of one's spouse or children, without consent and in breach of obligations

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