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to desert

verb/dɨ.zɨɾˈtaɾ/medium

de·ser·tar

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Definitions

1To leave the armed forces without permission and with no intention of returning, especially in wartime.
He was court-martialed for attempting to desert.
Many soldiers deserted during the retreat.
syn
abscondgo AWOLflee
ant
enlistremainserve
Common collocations
desert the armydesert one's postcharge of desertiondesert in wartime
2To abandon a cause, party, ideology, or group one once belonged to.
She deserted the political movement after the leadership change.
His old friends felt he had deserted them.
syn
abandondefectrenounce
ant
adhereremain loyaljoin
Common collocations
desert a causedesert the partydesert one's principles

Etymology

Do latim 'desertare', frequêntativo de 'deserere' (abandonar).

Related words

deserçãodesertorabandonar