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deserción

desertion

noun deh-sehr-SYOHN Rare

Origin: From Latin desertio (abandonment).

Also means

dropout

Usage Note

Deserción primarily refers to a soldier abandoning their post (military desertion), but in educational contexts deserción escolar is the standard term for school dropout rates — especially in Latin American policy discussions. The verb is desertar.

Examples

"La deserción escolar sigue siendo un problema grave."

Natural Translation

School dropout remains a serious problem.

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