DESERT
De*sert", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deserted; p. pr. & vb. n. Deserting.]
Etym: [Cf. L. desertus, p. p. of deserere to desert, F. déserter. See
2d Desert.]
1. To leave (especially something which one should stay by and support); to leave in the lurch; to abandon; to forsake; — implying blame, except sometimes when used of localities; as, to desert a friend, a principle, a cause, one's country. "The deserted fortress." Prescott.
2. (Mil.)
Defn: To abandon (the service) without leave; to forsake in violation of duty; to abscond from; as, to desert the army; to desert one's colors.
DESERT
De*sert", v. i.
Defn: To abandon a service without leave; to quit military service without permission, before the expiration of one's term; to abscond. The soldiers . . . deserted in numbers. Bancroft.
Syn. — To abandon; forsake; leave; relinquish; renounce; quit; depart from; abdicate. See Abandon.
DESERTER
De*sert"er (, n.
Defn: One who forsakes a duty, a cause or a party, a friend, or any one to whom he owes service; especially, a soldier or a seaman who abandons the service without leave; one guilty of desertion.
DESERTFUL
De*sert"ful, a.