fugitive

¹fu·gi·tive

adjective \ˈfyü-jə-tiv\

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

Examples of FUGITIVE

1. As he daydreamed, fugitive thoughts passed through his mind.
2. <that fugitive trait called artistic creativity>

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FUGITIVE

Synonyms

evasive, elusive, slippery

Antonyms

ceaseless, dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, lasting, long-lived, permanent, perpetual, timeless, undying, unending

Related Words

cagey (also cagy), shifty; ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, impermanent, momentary, passing, short-lived, temporary, transient, transitory; inaccessible, inconvenient, unapproachable, unattainable, unavailable, unobtainable, unreachable, untouchable

Near Antonyms

accessible, approachable, attainable, available, convenient, obtainable, reachable

See Synonym Discussion at transient

²fugitive

noun

Definition of FUGITIVE

1

: a person who flees or tries to escape; especially : refugee

2

: something elusive or hard to find

Examples of FUGITIVE

1. They discovered that the slave was a fugitive.

First Known Use of FUGITIVE

14th century

fu·gi·tive

adjective \ˈfyü-jət-iv\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of FUGITIVE

: tending to be inconstant or transient <fugitive aches and pains—Berton Roueche>