desert1

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈzəːt/

verb

[with object]
  • abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous: he deserted his wife and daughter and went back to England
  • (of people) leave (a place), causing it to appear empty: the tourists have deserted the beaches
  • (of a quality or ability) fail (someone) when most needed: her luck deserted her
  • [no object] Military illegally leave the armed forces: his life in the regiment had been such a hell that he decided to desert

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French deserter, from late Latin desertare, from Latin desertus 'left waste' (see desert2)

Do not confuse desert with dessert. Desert means 'a waterless, empty area' ( the Sahara Desert) or 'leave someone or something' ( he deserted her for another woman), whereas dessert means 'the sweet course of a meal' ( an ice cream dessert).