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The term that refers to the act of a spouse deserting their partner with the intention of creating a permanent separation is abandonment. In legal contexts, abandonment signifies the deliberate decision by one spouse to leave the marital relationship without any intention of returning. This act often has significant implications for divorce proceedings and can affect decisions related to asset division, custody arrangements, and even spousal support.

The other options pertain to different concepts: abscond refers to leaving hurriedly and secretly, often to avoid legal consequences; an affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence; and acquit refers to a legal judgment that officially clears someone of criminal charges. None of these terms capture the specific act of deserting a spouse with the intent of permanent separation, which is why abandonment is the most appropriate choice in this scenario.