What does 'departure' mean?

[rajeev]

Test No. incompl/inter-1 "Applying for that Job", question 10

After all these years she has decided to take early ..........

(a) leave
(b) finishing
(c) departure
(d) retirement

Test No. incompl/inter-1 "Applying for that Job", answer 10

After all these years she has decided to take early retirement.

Correct answer: (d) retirement
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how can we use departure in a sentence

[Torsten]

Departure is the act of leaving, of going away.

Example:

Please, arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before depature.
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[[LGN]P@dre!]

Why can't be 'leave' used? For case if she was tired, wanted to have a rest...

[Mister Micawber]

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In the case of leave, which is a temporary holiday, early makes no sense in terms of all these years. In addition, leave has no scheduled time, so that early again does not make practical sense.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Wemnemaiple]

Goodday I'm new here
And it looks like a greet forum, so just wanted to say hello!
And looking forward to participating.
Going on vacation for a few days, so i'll be back

[Mister Micawber]

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Hi, Wemnemaiple. Welcome to English-test. When you post again, please be sure that you do so on a relevant thread. This is a vocabulary question thread. Member greetings should be posted HERE.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Emir]

Dear Mister Micawber,

Having followed all the messages, I have drawn a conclusion that "departure" can only be used in case of a scheduled leaving from somewhere to another by a transport mode such as plane or train while, "leave" or "leaving" is used in case people go somewhere without a schedule.

I think this differentiation needs some further expose at least for me. Besides, extending the scope, leave is used in many cases in addition to going somewhere physically.

I look forward to hearing you.

Regards

[Mister Micawber]

No, there is not such a strict differentiation, though 'depart' is more formal than 'leave'.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Alan]

Hi,

'Departure' can also be used in a figurative sense with the idea that this is something different from what you usually expect. This can be used with writers/musicians/performers and so on taking on a new project as in:

Although known as a writer of detective stories, she has just completed a historical novel, which is quite a departure form the rest of her work.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a driving instructor

[Emir]

Thanks Alan and Mister Micawber,

The difference is quite clear now.

Thanks.