Defn: Meritorious. [R.] Beau. & Fl.
DESERTION
De*ser"tion, n. Etym: [L. desertio: cf. F. désertion.]
1. The act of deserting or forsaking; abandonment of a service, a cause, a party, a friend, or any post of duty; the quitting of one's duties willfully and without right; esp., an absconding from military or naval service. Such a resignation would have seemed to his superior a desertion or a reproach. Bancroft.
2. The state of being forsaken; desolation; as, the king in his desertion.
3. Abandonment by God; spiritual despondency. The spiritual agonies of a soul under desertion. South.
DESERTLESS
De*sert"less, a.
Defn: Without desert. [R.]
DESERTLESSLY
De*sert"less*ly, adv.
Defn: Undeservedly. [R.] Beau. & Fl.
DESERTNESS
Des"ert*ness, n.