desert

Meanings

Noun

• That which is deserved or merited; a just punishment or reward.
• A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.
• Any barren place or situation.

Adjective

• Usually of a place: abandoned, deserted, or uninhabited.

Verb

• 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.
• To leave one's duty or post, especially to leave a military or naval unit without permission.

Origin

• From Middle English desert, deseert, from Old French deserte, from deservir, from Vulgar Latin dēserviō ("to gain or merit by giving service").
• From Middle English desert, from Old French desert, from Latin dēsertum, past participle of desero. Displaced native .
• Borrowed from French déserter, from Late Latin desertō, from Latin desertus, from deserō.