The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Escape \Es*cape"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Escaped; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Escaping.] [OE. escapen, eschapen, OF. escaper,
   eschaper, F. echapper, fr. LL. ex cappa out of one's cape or
   cloak; hence, to slip out of one's cape and escape. See 3d
   Cape, and cf. Scape, v.]
   1. To flee from and avoid; to be saved or exempt from; to
      shun; to obtain security from; as, to escape danger.
      "Sailors that escaped the wreck." --Shak.
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   2. To avoid the notice of; to pass unobserved by; to evade;
      as, the fact escaped our attention.
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            They escaped the search of the enemy. --Ludlow.
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