fug

a. [ L. fugax, fugacis, from fugere: cf. F. fugace. See Fugitive. ] 1. Flying, or disposed to fly; fleeing away; lasting but a short time; volatile. [ 1913 Webster ]

Much of its possessions is so hid, so fugacious, and of so uncertain purchase. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) Fleeting; lasting but a short time; -- applied particularly to organs or parts which are short-lived as compared with the life of the individual. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Fugacity. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L fugacitas: cf. F. fugacité. ] 1. The quality of being fugacious; fugaclousness; volatility; as, fugacity of spirits. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Uncertainty; instability. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Banishment. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖a. (Mus.) in the gugue style, but not strictly like a fugue. -- n. A composition resembling a fugue. [ 1913 Webster ]

interj. An exclamation of disgust; foh; faugh. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ It. ] (Mus.) a short, condensed fugue. Grove. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]