n.
Function: verb
to desert a cause or party often in order to espouse another FF1C; he defected from the Communist party FF1E;
Synonyms: apostatize, desert, rat, renounce, repudiate, tergiversate, tergiverse, turn
Related Words: abandon, forsake; back out, renege, withdraw; depart, go, leave, quit; reject, spurn
Idioms: change sides, go back on, go over, turn one's coat, walk ( or run) out on
Contrasted Words: adhere (to), cling (to), hang on, stick (to or with); cherish, cultivate, foster