Left for dead (8)
I believe the answer is:
departed
I believe this is a double definition.
'left' is the first definition.
(departing is a kind of leaving)
'dead' is the second definition.
('departed' can be similar in meaning to 'dead')
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for departed that I've seen before include "Gone, maybe dead" , "Left -- late" , "completely breathless" , "Dead; set off" , "Quit" .)