/di pahr"cheuhr/ , n.
1. an act or instance of departing: the time of departure; a hasty departure.
2. divergence or deviation, as from a standard, rule, etc.: a departure from accepted teaching methods.
3. Navig.
a. the distance due east or west traveled by a vessel or aircraft.
b. See point of departure .
4. Survey. the length of the projection, on the east-west reference line, of a survey line.
5. Archaic. death.
[ 1375-1425; late ME departëure; cf. AF departir (n. use of inf.). See DEPART, -URE ]
Syn. 1. leaving, going, exit, leave-taking.