Main Entry: ¹fu·gi·tive

Pronunciation: \ˈfyü-jə-tiv\

Function: adjective

Etymology: 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

Date: 14th century

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>

synonyms see transient

— fu·gi·tive·ly adverb

— fu·gi·tive·ness noun