The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fugitive \Fu"gi*tive\, a. [OE. fugitif, F. fugitif, fr. L.
   fugitivus, fr. fugere to flee. See Bow to bend, and cf.
   Feverfew.]
   1. Fleeing from pursuit, danger, restraint, etc., escaping,
      from service, duty etc.; as, a fugitive solder; a fugitive
      slave; a fugitive debtor.
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            The fugitive Parthians follow.        --Shak.
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            Can a fugitive daughter enjoy herself while her
            parents are in tear?                  --Richardson
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            A libellous pamphlet of a fugitive physician. --Sir
                                                  H. Wotton.
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   2. Not fixed; not durable; liable to disappear or fall away;
      volatile; uncertain; evanescent; liable to fade; --
      applied to material and immaterial things; as, fugitive
      colors; a fugitive idea.
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            The me more tender and fugitive parts, the leaves .
            . . of vegatables.                    --Woodward.
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   Fugitive compositions, Such as are short and occasional,
      and so published that they quickly escape notice.

   Syn: Fleeting; unstable; wandering; uncertain; volatile;
        fugacious; fleeing; evanescent.
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