Depart

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /dɪˈpɑː(ɹ)t/
• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)t

Origin

From Old French departir, from Late Latin departire ("to divide"), from Latin dispertire ("to divide").

Full definition of depart

Verb

1. (intransitive) To leave.
• ShakespeareHe which hath no stomach to this fight,
  Let him depart.
• 2009, George Monbiot, The Guardian, 7 Sep 09:The government maintains that if its regulations are too stiff, British bankers will leave the country. It's true that they have been threatening to depart in droves, but the obvious answer is: "Sod off then."
2. (intransitive) To set out on a journey.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VII:And than he departed unto the courte of Kynge Arthure, and there opynly the Rede Knyght putt hymself in the mercy of Sir Launcelot and of Sir Gawayne ...
3. (intransitive) To die.
• Bible, Luke ii. 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.
4. (intransitive) To deviate (from).His latest statements seemed to depart from party policy somewhat.to depart from a title or defence in legal pleading
• Madisonif the plan of the convention be found to depart from republican principles
5. (transitive, now rare) To go away from; to leave.
• Bible, 1 Sam. iv. 2The glory is departed from Israel.
• 2009, The Guardian, Sport Blog, 9 Sep 09:The build-up to Saturday's visit of Macedonia and this encounter with the Dutch could be construed as odd in the sense that there seemed a basic acceptance, inevitability even, that Burley would depart office in their immediate aftermath.
6. (obsolete, transitive) To divide up; to distribute, share.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VII:and so all the worlde seythe that betwyxte three knyghtes is departed clerely knyghthode, that is Sir Launcelot du Lake, Sir Trystrams de Lyones and Sir Lamerok de Galys – thes bere now the renowne.
7. (obsolete, transitive) To separate, part.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book IV:Syr knyght, said the two squyers that were with her, yonder are two knyghtes that fyghte for thys lady, goo thyder and departe them ...

Synonyms

• (to leave) duck out, go, go away, leave, part, pull up stakes, start, start out, set forth, split, set off, set out, take off, take leave, quit
• (to die) die
• (to deviate) deviate, digress, diverge, sidetrack, straggle, vary
• (to go away from) leave

Antonyms

• to leave: arrive, come, stay
• to die: live
• to deviate: conform

Related terms

• departure
• dearly departed

Noun