primarily "a solitude, an uninhabited place," in contrast to a town or village, is translated "deserts" in Hebrews 11:38; "the wilderness" in Matthew 15:33 , AV, "a desert place," RV; so in Mark 8:4; "wilderness" in 2 Corinthians 11:26 . It does not always denote a barren region, void of vegetation; it is often used of a place uncultivated, but fit for pasturage. See WILDERNESS.
used as a noun, has the same meaning as eremia; in Luke 5:16; 8:29 , RV, "deserts," for AV, "wilderness;" in Matthew 24:26; John 6:31 , RV, "wilderness," for AV, "desert." As an adjective, it denotes (a), with reference to persons, "deserted," desolate, deprived of the friends and kindred, e.g., of a woman deserted by a husband, Galatians 4:27; (b) so of a city, as Jerusalem, Matthew 23:38; or uninhabited places, "desert," e.g., Matthew 14:13,15; Acts 8:26; in Mark 1:35 , RV, "desert," for AV, "solitary." See DESOLATE , WILDERNESS.