desert
/dɪˈzɜ:t; dɪ`zət/ v
1 [Tn]
(a) go away from (a place) without intending ever to return 离弃（一地方）; 放弃; 遗弃
desert a house, city, etc 离弃一所房屋、 一座城市等
The village had been hurriedly deserted, perhaps because terrorists were in the area. 全村人都匆匆逃走了, 或许因为该地区有恐怖分子.
(b) leave (sb) without help or support; abandon 离弃（某人）; 抛弃
He deserted his wife and children and went abroad. 他抛弃了妻子儿女, 出国去了.
He has become so rude that his friends are deserting him. 他变得十分粗野, 朋友们都不和他来往了.
2 [I, Ipr, Tn]
leave (esp service in the armed forces, or a ship) without authority or permission; run away 擅自离开（尤指军中或船上的职守）; 逃跑; 潜逃
A soldier who deserts (his post) in time of war is punished severely. 战争期间开小差的士兵要受到严惩.
desert from the army 开小差.
3 [Tn] fail (sb) when needed 在关键时使（某人）失望
His courage/presence of mind deserted him. 他丧失了勇气[再不能镇定自若].
desert / ˈdezət; `dɛzɚt/ n [C, U]
(large area of) barren land, with very little water and vegetation, often sand-covered 沙漠; 荒漠; 荒原
Vast areas of land have become desert. 广大的地区均已变成沙漠.
the Sahara Desert 撒哈拉大沙漠
[attrib 作定语]
desert wastes, sands, etc 不毛的荒地、 沙漠等.