desert

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See also dessert, and désert

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[edit] English

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[edit] Etymology 1

Middle English from the Old French deserte (to deserve). This in turn is from the Vulgar Latin deservire (to gain or merit by giving service)

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
desert

Plural
deserts

desert (plural deserts)

  1. (usually in plural) That which is considered to be deserved or merited; a just punishment or reward

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Etymology 2

French or Old French désert, from Vulgar Latin dēsertum, from Latin dēsertus (left waste), past participle of dēserō (abandon), or from the Egyptian dSr.t (The Red Land)

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
desert

Plural
deserts

desert (plural deserts)

  1. A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Adjective

desert (not comparable)

Positive
desert

Comparative
not comparable

Superlative
none (absolute)

  1. of or pertaining to a desert
  2. forsaken
  3. without life or cultivation
  4. unproductive
  5. waste
  6. barren
  7. wild
  8. desolate
  9. solitary
    They landed on a desert island.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Etymology 3

French déserter, from Late Latin desertare, from Latin dēsertus (left waste), past participle of dēserō (abandon)

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to desert

Third person singular
deserts

Simple past
deserted

Past participle
deserted

Present participle
deserting

to desert (third-person singular simple present deserts, present participle deserting, simple past and past participle deserted)

  1. 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.
  2. To leave one's duty or post, especially to leave a military or naval unit without permission
    Anyone found deserting will be shot.

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] Catalan

[edit] Etymology

From Latin dēsertum.

[edit] Noun

desert m. (plural deserts)

  1. desert (desolate terrain)

[edit] Serbo-Croatian

[edit] Noun

dèsert m. (Cyrillic spelling дѐсерт)

  1. dessert

[edit] Declension

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