fugitive

Noun · Adjective
US[fyoo-juh-tiv]/ˈfjudʒətɪv/3 syllablesalso [fyoo-jih-tiv] /ˈfjudʒɪtɪv/
Synonyms: runawayfleerfugitive from justicefleetingmomentaneousmomentary

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)fugitives

  1. someone who flees from an uncongenial situation“fugitives from the sweatshops”Synonyms: runawayfleerType of actor, doer
  2. someone who is sought by law officers; someone trying to elude justiceSynonyms: fugitive from justiceType of criminal, felonKinds absconder, escapee

Adjective (1)

  1. lasting for a markedly brief time“a fleeting glance”“fugitive hours”“rapid momentaneous association of things that meet and pass”“a momentary glimpse”Synonyms: fleetingmomentaneousmomentaryOpposite longSimilar short

Related words flee verb

Word of the day · Oct 20About this word
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Fu′gi·tive adjective

Origin: 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.

The fugitive Parthians follow.— William Shakespeare
Can a fugitive daughter enjoy herself while her parents are in tear?— Samuel Richardson
A libellous pamphlet of a fugitive physician.— Sir Henry Wotton

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.

The me more tender and fugitive parts, the leaves... of vegatables.— John Woodward

Fugitive compositions, Such as are short and occasional, and so published that they quickly escape notice.

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

Fu′gi·tive noun

1. One who flees from pursuit, danger, restraint, service, duty, etc.; a deserter; as, a fugitive from justice.

2. Something hard to be caught or detained.

Or Catch that airy fugitive called wit.— Walter Harte

Fugitive from justice Law, one who, having committed a crime in one jurisdiction, flees or escapes into another to avoid punishment.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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