/di zerr"sheuhn/ , n.
1. the act of deserting or the state of being deserted.
2. Law. willful abandonment, esp. of one's wife or husband without consent, in violation of legal or moral obligations.
3. an act of leaving military service or duty without the intention of returning. Cf. AWOL .
[ 1585-95; desertion- (s. of desertio ) desert ( us ) (see DESERT 1 ) + -ion- -ION ]