1desert1 (ˈdɛzət
)
Definitions
noun
- a region that is devoid or almost devoid of vegetation, esp because of low rainfall
- an uncultivated uninhabited region
- a place which lacks some desirable feature or quality ⇒
a cultural desert
- (modifier) of, relating to, or like a desert; infertile or desolate
Word Origin
C13: from Old French, from Church Latin dēsertum, from Latin dēserere to abandon, literally: to sever one's links with, from de- + serere to bind togetherSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
barren,
dry,
waste,
wild,
empty,
bare,
lonely,
solitary,
desolate,
arid,
unproductive,
infertile,
uninhabited,
uncultivated,
unfruitful,
untilled,
2desert2 (dɪˈzɜːt)
Definitions
verb
- (tr) to leave or abandon (a person, place, etc) without intending to return, esp in violation of a duty, promise, or obligation
- military to abscond from (a post or duty) with no intention of returning
- (tr) to fail (someone) in time of need ⇒
his good humour temporarily deserted him
- (tr) Scots law to give up or postpone (a case or charge)
Alternative Forms
deˈserter noun deˈserted adjectiveWord Origin
C15: from French déserter, from Late Latin dēsertāre, from Latin dēserere to forsake; see desertC15: from French from Late Latin from Latin to forsake; see 1Synonyms
View thesaurus entry=
abandon,
leave,
give up,
quit,
withdraw from move out of
relinquish,
renounce,
vacate,
forsake,
go away from leave empty relinquish possession of
=
leave,
abandon,
dump,
strand,
ditch,
betray,
maroon,
walk out on,
forsake,
jilt,
run out on,
throw over,
leave stranded leave high and dry leave (someone) in the lurch
3desert3 (dɪˈzɜːt)
Definitions
noun
- (often plural) something that is deserved or merited; just reward or punishment
- the state of deserving a reward or punishment
- virtue or merit
Word Origin
C13: from Old French deserte, from deservir to deserveSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
due,
payment,
reward,
punishment,
right,
return,
retribution,
recompense,
come-uppance
meed,
requital,
guerdon,
Translations
- British English:
desert
A desert is a large area of land, usually in a hot region, which has almost no water, rain, trees, or plants....the Sahara Desert.ˈdɛzət NOUN ...the Sahara Desert.
- Spanish:
desierto
nm
- French:
désert
nm
- German:
Wüste
nf
- Chinese: 沙漠 n
- Arabic: صَحْرَاء n
- Portuguese: deserto nm
- Russian: пустыня nf
- Croatian: pustinja nf
- Czech: poušť nf
- Danish: ørken nutr
- Dutch: woestijn n
- Finnish: autiomaa n
- Greek: έρημος nf
- Italian: deserto nm
- Japanese: 砂漠 n
- Korean: 사막 n
- Norwegian: ørken nm
- Polish: pustynia nf
- Brazilian Portuguese: deserto nm
- European Spanish:
desierto
nm
- Swedish: öken nutr
- Thai: ทะเลทราย n
- Turkish: çöl n
- Vietnamese: sa mạc n
Usage examples
Nathan was flying through the air on the back of his own xaurian, while the warm desert night poured over him.
, THE GREENSTONE GRAIL: The Sangreal Trilogy One (2004)Within moments, he was finding injured and bleeding men stumbling around on the desert floor.
Globe and Mail (2003)On a cold day, you can take your pick from desert or tropical forest, or even alpine.
Glasgow Herald (2001)To reach my destination in the southerly desert I was obliged to cross the Oman Mountains from Muscat, the capital city.
, THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)