Collins Chinese Dictionary Plus (3rd edition), 2011:
desert [n ˈdɛzət]
[vb dɪˈzəːt]
I n
1
[c/u]
(Geo) 沙漠 shāmò [片 piàn]
2
[c]
(fig: wasteland) 荒地 huāngdì [片 piàn]
II vt
(=leave)
[+ place] 离(離)弃(棄) líqì
[+ person] 遗(遺)弃(棄) yíqì
[+ place] 离(離)弃(棄) líqì
[+ person] 遗(遺)弃(棄) yíqì
III vi
(Mil) 逃跑 táopǎo