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desertion
[ dih-zur-shuhn ]
/ dɪˈzɜr ʃən /
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
Law. willful abandonment, especially of one's spouse without consent, in violation of legal or moral obligations.
an act of leaving military service or duty without the intention of returning.
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Origin of desertion
1585–95; <Late Latin
dēsertiōn- (stem of
dēsertiō) <Latin
dēsert(
us) (see
desert1) +
-iōn--ionOTHER WORDS FROM desertion
pre·de·ser·tion, nounself-de·ser·tion, nounWords nearby desertion
desert fathers,
desert fever,
deserticolous,
desertification,
desert iguana,
desertion,
desert island,
desert locust,
desert lynx,
desert oak,
desert pea Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
Words related to desertion
betrayal,
abrogation,
apostasy,
avoidance,
backsliding,
departure,
derelict,
dereliction,
disaffection,
disavowal,
divorce,
elusion,
escape,
evasion,
falseness,
flight,
forsaking,
leaving,
perfidy,
rejection How to use desertion in a sentence
The dangerous prospects combined with low pay meant that finding crews for the ships was difficult and desertions ahead of launch day were high.
With viral online organizing, the idea of non-desertion agreements could spread quickly.
“I, Pvt. Eddie D. Slovik, 36896415, confess to the desertion of the United States Army…” it began.
A general read aloud the order that Pvt. Eddie Slovik was to be executed for the crime of desertion.
His desertion barely warranted a comment, but he was not hailed as a hero.
“I believe I am the only colonel in the regular army who was ever court-martialed and convicted of desertion,” he laughed.
To cease living together for the time fixed by statute is not desertion unless this was done intentionally.
Desertion is a general ground of divorce, the law in every state prescribing a period of time, quite often three years.
But the Emperor could not forgive his desertion, and, thinking he would not benefit by his services, he refused them.
Have you any plea to urge beyond the natural one of her seemingly unprovoked desertion of you?
The sense of the desertion by humankind, by God and mercy and rationality swept through me and overwhelmed my inner self.
British Dictionary definitions for desertion
noun
the act of deserting or abandoning or the state of being deserted or abandoned
law wilful abandonment, esp of one's spouse or children, without consent and in breach of obligations
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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