De-sēr'tion, n.

(de-zēr'shun), n. [Lat. desertio, from deserere; Fr. désertion, Sp. desercion, It. deserzione.] 1. The act of deserting or forsaking; especially, the abandonment of a service, a party, or a post. Such a resignation would have seemed to his superior a desertion or a reproach. Bancroft.

2. The state of being forsaken; as, the king in his desertion.
3. (Theol.) Abandonment by God; spiritual despondency.

Excess of love which made that temporary desertion so grievous and bitter to him. Barrow.