decamp Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb leave a camp
    break camp.
    • The hikers decamped before dawn
  2. verb run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
    abscond; make off; absquatulate; bolt; go off; run off.
    • The thief made off with our silver
    • the accountant absconded with the cash from the safe
  3. verb leave suddenly
    skip; vamoose.
    • She persuaded him to decamp
    • skip town

WordNet

De*camp" intransitive verb
Etymology
F. décamper; pref. dé- (L. dis) + camp camp. See Camp.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Decamped present participle & verbal noun Decamping
Definitions
  1. To break up a camp; to move away from a camping ground, usually by night or secretly. Macaulay.
  2. Hence, to depart suddenly; to run away; -- generally used disparagingly.
    The fathers were ordered to decamp, and the house was once again converted into a tavern. Goldsmith.

Webster 1913