dēsertiō

1. Relinquere, to leave behind, has reference to an object, to which one stands in a mere outward and local relation of proximity; whereas deserere and omittere, to an object to which one stands in an inward and moral relation as an owner or friend; desertio, like leaving in the lurch, has its ground in cowardice, or other forgetfulness of duty, in opp. to defensio, tutatio; omissio, like giving up, has its ground in a conviction of being able to dispense with, in opp. to obtinere. Tac. Dial. 16. Partes quas intellexerimus te non tam omisisse quam nobis reliquisse. And 9. Relinquenda conversatio amicorum et jucunditas urbis, deserenda cætera officia. Cic. Verr. i. 4. 11. Desertum exercitum, relictam provinciam. 2. Deserere means to forsake, and expose to a possible and remote danger; destituere to an actual and impending danger. Curt. iv. 2, 32. Desertus, destitutus, hostibus deditus. Liv. vi. 2. Quod defensores suos in ipso discrimine periculi destituat. 3. Desertus and destitutus denote, especially, forgetfulness of duty; whereas desolatus, the unmercifulness of the action. Suet. Cal. 12. Deserta, desolataque reliquis subsidiis aula. (iii. 290.)