desert
v
1 [Tn]
(a) go away from (a place) without intending ever to return 离弃(一地方); 放弃; 遗弃
desert a house, city, etc 离弃一所房屋、 一座城市等
The village had been hurriedly deserted, perhaps because terrorists were in the area. 全村人都匆匆逃走了, 或许因为该地区有恐怖分子.
(b) leave (sb) without help or support; abandon 离弃(某人); 抛弃
He deserted his wife and children and went abroad. 他抛弃了妻子儿女, 出国去了.
He has become so rude that his friends are deserting him. 他变得十分粗野, 朋友们都不和他来往了.
2 [I, Ipr, Tn]
leave (esp service in the armed forces, or a ship) without authority or permission; run away 擅自离开(尤指军中或船上的职守); 逃跑; 潜逃
A soldier who deserts (his post) in time of war is punished severely. 战争期间开小差的士兵要受到严惩.
desert from the army 开小差.
3 [Tn] fail (sb) when needed 在关键时使(某人)失望
His courage/presence of mind deserted him. 他丧失了勇气[再不能镇定自若].
desert n [C, U]
(large area of) barren land, with very little water and vegetation, often sand-covered 沙漠; 荒漠; 荒原
Vast areas of land have become desert. 广大的地区均已变成沙漠.
the Sahara Desert 撒哈拉大沙漠
[attrib 作定语]
desert wastes, sands, etc 不毛的荒地、 沙漠等.
No, we didn't fix anything. We thought we might go out, but we said we'd check with each other first. And now I'm telling you I can't manage this Friday. Another time, possibly, but not Friday.