From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Fugitive \Fu"gi*tive\, n.
1. One who flees from pursuit, danger, restraint, service,
duty, etc.; a deserter; as, a fugitive from justice.
[1913 Webster]
2. Something hard to be caught or detained.
[1913 Webster]
Or Catch that airy fugitive called wit. --Harte.
[1913 Webster]
{Fugitive from justice} (Law), one who, having committed a
crime in one jurisdiction, flees or escapes into another
to avoid punishment.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
[1913 Webster]
The fugitive Parthians follow. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Can a fugitive daughter enjoy herself while her
parents are in tear? --Richardson
[1913 Webster]
A libellous pamphlet of a fugitive physician. --Sir
H. Wotton.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
The me more tender and fugitive parts, the leaves .
. . of vegatables. --Woodward.
[1913 Webster]
{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.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
fugitive
adj 1: lasting for a markedly brief time; "a fleeting glance";
"fugitive hours"; "rapid momentaneous association of
things that meet and pass"; "a momentary glimpse" [syn:
{fleeting}, {fugitive}, {momentaneous}, {momentary}]
n 1: someone who flees from an uncongenial situation; "fugitives
from the sweatshops" [syn: {fugitive}, {runaway}, {fleer}]
2: someone who is sought by law officers; someone trying to
elude justice [syn: {fugitive}, {fugitive from justice}]
|