decamp

American  

[dih-kamp] / dɪˈkæmp /

verb (used without object)

1. to depart from a camp; to pack up equipment and leave a camping ground.

   We decamped before the rain began.

2. to depart quickly, secretly, or unceremoniously.

   The band of thieves decamped in the night.

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decamp British  

/ dɪˈkæmp /

verb

1. to leave a camp; break camp

2. to depart secretly or suddenly; abscond

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Other Word Forms

• decampment noun

Etymology

Origin of decamp

1670–80; < French décamper, equivalent to dé- dis- ¹ + camper to encamp; camp ¹

Example Sentences

So what did the last three days of running in Bahrain, before the teams decamp to Albert Park in Melbourne, say about the reshaped sport - and who are the winners and losers within that?

From BBC

Most of the monks decamped for safer suburban grounds.

From The Wall Street Journal

That’s doubtful given that it has already spurred many billionaires to decamp.

From The Wall Street Journal

Such caution frustrated a number of company researchers, some of whom decamped.

From The Wall Street Journal

Its departure from downtown would continue a yearslong trend of companies decamping from the urban core amid a rise in crime and homelessness since the pandemic.

From The Wall Street Journal