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 : wandering3 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