(dez′ərt) noun
1. A region so lacking in rainfall, moisture, and vegetation as to be uninhabitable by any considerable population.
2. Any region which is uncultivated and desolate because of deficient moisture, barren soil, or permanent frost.
—adjective
1. Of or like a desert; barren; waste.
2. Obs. Deserted; forsaken. [<OF deserte <LL desertum <L, pp. neut. of deserere <de- away + serere join]

(di·zûrt′) noun
1. The state of deserving reward or punishment; merit or demerit.
2. Often plural That which is deserved or merited.
3. A meritorious or worthy act; meritoriousness. [<OF <deservir. See DESERVE.]

(di·zûrt′) v.t.
1. To forsake or abandon, with or without right.
2. To forsake in violation of one's oath or orders, as a service, post, etc.
—v.i.
3. To abandon one's post, duty, etc. See synonyms under ABANDON. [<F déserter <LL desertare, freq. of deserere. See DESERT¹.]