English Lexicon

Desert

/ˈdɛz.ɚt/
nounverbCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #800 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A barren area of land where little precipitation occurs and consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life.

    "The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world."
As verb
  1. 1

    To abandon someone or something.

    "He decided to desert his post during the crisis."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'desert' originates from the Latin 'desertum', meaning 'abandoned place', which evolved through Old French 'désert' before entering Middle English. Its meaning has shifted from a barren land to also imply the act of abandoning or forsaking.

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