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Dune vs. Desert — What's the Difference?

Dune vs. Desert — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Dune and Desert

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Dune

A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill.

Desert

A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to the processes of denudation.

Dune

A hill or ridge of wind-blown sand.

Desert

Abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous
We feel our public representatives have deserted us

Dune

(geomorphology) A ridge or hill of sand piled up by the wind.
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Desert

A waterless, desolate area of land with little or no vegetation, typically one covered with sand
The desert of the Sinai peninsula is a harsh place
Drought and deforestation are turning fragile grasslands into desert

Dune

A low hill of drifting sand usually formed on the coats, but often carried far inland by the prevailing winds.
Three great rivers, the Rhine, the Meuse, and the Scheldt, had deposited their slime for ages among the dunes or sand banks heaved up by the ocean around their mouths.

Desert

A flock of lapwings
A desert of lapwings rises from a ploughed field

Dune

A ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans

Desert

Like a desert
Overgrazing has created desert conditions

Desert

A dry, often sandy region of little rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation.

Desert

A region of permanent cold that is largely or entirely devoid of life.

Desert

An apparently lifeless area of water.

Desert

An empty or forsaken place; a wasteland
A cultural desert.

Desert

(Archaic) A wild and uninhabited region.

Desert

Often deserts Something that is deserved or merited, especially a punishment
They got their just deserts when the scheme was finally uncovered.

Desert

The state or fact of deserving reward or punishment.

Desert

Of, relating to, characteristic of, or inhabiting a desert
Desert fauna.

Desert

Wild and uninhabited
A desert island.

Desert

To leave empty or alone; abandon.

Desert

To withdraw from, especially in spite of a responsibility or duty; forsake
Deserted her friend in a time of need.

Desert

To abandon (a military post, for example) in violation of orders or an oath.

Desert

To forsake one's duty or post, especially to be absent without leave from the armed forces with no intention of returning.

Desert

That which is deserved or merited; a just punishment or reward.

Desert

A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.

Desert

(figuratively) Any barren place or situation.

Desert

Usually of a place: abandoned, deserted, or uninhabited.
They were marooned on a desert island in the Pacific.

Desert

To leave (anything that depends on one's presence to survive, exist, or succeed), especially when contrary to a promise or obligation; to abandon; to forsake.
You can't just drive off and desert me here, in the middle of nowhere.

Desert

To leave one's duty or post, especially to leave a military or naval unit without permission.
Anyone found deserting will be punished.

Desert

That which is deserved; the reward or the punishment justly due; claim to recompense, usually in a good sense; right to reward; merit.
According to their deserts will I judge them.
Andronicus, surnamed PiusFor many good and great deserts to Rome.
His reputation falls far below his desert.

Desert

A deserted or forsaken region; a barren tract incapable of supporting population, as the vast sand plains of Asia and Africa which are destitute of moisture and vegetation.
A dreary desert and a gloomy waste.

Desert

A tract, which may be capable of sustaining a population, but has been left unoccupied and uncultivated; a wilderness; a solitary place.
He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord.
Before her extendedDreary and vast and silent, the desert of life.

Desert

Of or pertaining to a desert; forsaken; without life or cultivation; unproductive; waste; barren; wild; desolate; solitary; as, they landed on a desert island.
He . . . went aside privately into a desert place.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,And waste its sweetness on the desert air.

Desert

To leave (especially something which one should stay by and support); to leave in the lurch; to abandon; to forsake; - implying blame, except sometimes when used of localities; as, to desert a friend, a principle, a cause, one's country.

Desert

To abandon (the service) without leave; to forsake in violation of duty; to abscond from; as, to desert the army; to desert one's colors.

Desert

To abandon a service without leave; to quit military service without permission, before the expiration of one's term; to abscond.
The soldiers . . . deserted in numbers.

Desert

An arid region with little or no vegetation

Desert

Leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch;
The mother deserted her children

Desert

Desert (a cause, a country or an army), often in order to join the opposing cause, country, or army;
If soldiers deserted Hitler's army, they were shot

Desert

Located in a dismal or remote area; desolate;
A desert island
A godforsaken wilderness crossroads
A wild stretch of land
Waste places

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