First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1fugitive
adjective fu·gi·tive \ˈfyü-jə-tiv\
: running away to avoid being captured
: lasting a very short time
Full Definition of FUGITIVE
1
: running away or intending flight <a fugitive slave> <a fugitive debtor>
2
: moving from place to place : wandering
3
a : being of short duration b : difficult to grasp or retain : elusive c : likely to evaporate, deteriorate, change, fade, or disappear <dyed with fugitive colors>
4
: being of transient interest <fugitive essays>
— fu·gi·tive·ly adverb
— fu·gi·tive·ness noun
See fugitive defined for English-language learners
See fugitive defined for kids
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Origin of FUGITIVE
Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French fugitif, from Latin fugitivus, from fugitus, past participle of fugere to flee; akin to Greek pheugein to flee
Related to FUGITIVE
Synonym Discussion of FUGITIVE
transient, transitory, ephemeral, momentary, fugitive, fleeting, evanescent mean lasting or staying only a short time. transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay <a hotel catering primarily to transient guests>. transitory applies to what is by its nature or essence bound to change, pass, or come to an end <fame in the movies is transitory>. ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration <many slang words are ephemeral>. momentary suggests coming and going quickly and therefore being merely a brief interruption of a more enduring state <my feelings of guilt were only momentary>. fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult <let a fugitive smile flit across his face> <fleeting moments of joy>. evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality <the story has an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation>.
2fugitive
noun
: a person who is running away to avoid being captured; especially : a person who is trying to escape being arrested by the police
Full Definition of FUGITIVE
1
: a person who flees or tries to escape; especially : refugee
2
: something elusive or hard to find
See fugitive defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FUGITIVE
14th century
FUGITIVE Defined for Kids
1fugitive
adjective fu·gi·tive \ˈfyü-jə-tiv\
Definition of FUGITIVE for Kids
: running away or trying to escape <a fugitive prisoner>
2fugitive
noun
Definition of FUGITIVE for Kids
: a person who is running away
Medical Dictionary
fugitive
adjective fu·gi·tive \ˈfyü-jət-iv\
Medical Definition of FUGITIVE
: tending to be inconstant or transient <fugitive aches and pains—Berton Roueche>
Learn More About FUGITIVE
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