v. 1 tr. abandon, give up, leave (deserted the sinking ship). 2 tr. forsake or abandon (a cause or a person, people, etc., having claims on one) (deserted his wife and children). 3 tr. fail (his presence of mind deserted him). 4 intr. Mil. run away (esp. from military service). 5 tr. (as deserted adj.) empty, abandoned (a deserted house). deserter n. (in sense 4 of v.). desertion n.
[ F déserter f. LL desertare f. L desertus (as DESERT(2)) ]