desert, dessert

desert, dessert
As a noun, desert differs in spelling, pronunciation, and meaning from dessert. The term for an arid region is pronounced "DEZ-uhrt." The term for a pastry, pudding, or other final course of a meal is pronounced "di-ZUHRT," as is the verb desert: "While roaming in the desert he had to do without dessert." "Do not desert your job now." The word desert, as in "just deserts," has nothing to do with either arid regions or sweet concoctions. It derives from the same root as deserves and means "rewards or punishments": "Every contestant will receive his just deserts."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • desert - dessert — ◊ desert Desert is used as a noun or a verb. The noun and the verb are pronounced differently. A desert is a large area of land where there is very little water or rain, no trees, and very few plants. ...the Sahara Desert. When people or animals… …   Useful english dictionary

  • desert / dessert —    Desert means to abandon (and can also be a noun, meaning a wasteland ): Cooley deserted his family when they all got tattoos and lip piercings.    Dessert is the sweet course of a meal: The whole family wanted to have cake for dessert (but see …   Confused words

  • desert / dessert —    Desert means to abandon (and can also be a noun, meaning a wasteland ): Cooley deserted his family when they all got tattoos and lip piercings.    Dessert is the sweet course of a meal: The whole family wanted to have cake for dessert (but see …   Confused words

  • dessert — desert, dessert There are two unrelated words spelt desert: one, with stress on the first syllable, is the barren area of land, and the other, with stress on the second syllable, is what one deserves, as in get one s just deserts. The verb desert …   Modern English usage

  • desert — desert, dessert There are two unrelated words spelt desert: one, with stress on the first syllable, is the barren area of land, and the other, with stress on the second syllable, is what one deserves, as in get one s just deserts. The verb desert …   Modern English usage

  • dessert — See desert, dessert …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • desert — See desert, dessert …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • desert — DESÉRT, deserturi, s.n. Fel de mâncare, de obicei dulciuri, fructe, brânzeturi etc., care se serveşte la sfârşitul mesei; timpul când se serveşte această mâncare. – Din fr. dessert. Trimis de IoanSoleriu, 12.07.2004. Sursa: DEX 98  desért s. n …   Dicționar Român

  • Desert Christian Schools (California) — Desert Christian Schools Address 44662 15th Street West Lancaster, California, 93534 United States …   Wikipedia

  • Dessert island — may refer to:: Floating island (dessert), an island of meringue floating in a sea of Crème anglaise Dessert Island (I Am Weasel), an episode of I Am Weasel See also Desert island, an uninhabited island This disambiguation page lists articles… …   Wikipedia

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