desk officer
- n a military officer who is not assigned to active duty
desertification
- n the gradual transformation of habitable land into desert; is usually caused by climate change or by destructive use of the land
the dust storms in Korea are the result of rapid desertification in China
desertion
- n withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility
- n the act of giving something up
deserts
- n an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved
- n arid land with little or no vegetation
- v leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
- v desert (a cause, a country or an army), often in order to join the opposing cause, country, or army
- v leave behind