desert

Definitions


[dɪˈzəːt], (Verb)

Definitions:
- abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous
(e.g: we feel our public representatives have deserted us)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French deserter, from late Latin desertare, from Latin desertus ‘left waste’ (see desert)


[ˈdɛzət], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a waterless, desolate area of land with little or no vegetation, typically one covered with sand
(e.g: the desert of the Sinai peninsula is a harsh place)

- a flock of lapwings
(e.g: a desert of lapwings rises from a ploughed field)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from late Latin desertum ‘something left waste’, neuter past participle of deserere ‘leave, forsake’


[ˈdɛzət], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- like a desert
(e.g: overgrazing has created desert conditions)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from late Latin desertum ‘something left waste’, neuter past participle of deserere ‘leave, forsake’




definition by Oxford Dictionaries