abscond

[ ab-skond ]

See synonyms for: abscond absconded absconder on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to depart in a sudden and secret manner, especially to avoid capture and legal prosecution: The cashier absconded with the money.

Origin of abscond

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin abscondere “to hide or stow away,” equivalent to abs- abs- + condere “to stow” (con- con- + -dere “to put”; see do¹)

Other words for abscond

decamp, bolt

See synonyms for abscond on Thesaurus.com

Other words from abscond

ab·scond·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use abscond in a sentence

Aided by some divine meddling, Paris performs the consummate indignity against his host Menelaus by absconding with his wife.
‘A Sustained Sense of Violation’: When Bad House Guests Invade Literature | Matt Seidel | July 23, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Absconding has been punished with various degrees of severity.
The History of Tasmania , Volume II (of 2) | John West
She had added to her own difficulties by this present absconding, and, with severe self-blame, resolved to descend to tea.
Camilla | Fanny Burney
Camilla could now stay no longer; nor could Edgar, though adoring the hearty joy of Sir Hugh, refuse to aid her in absconding.
Camilla | Fanny Burney
He asked her if she would let him have a bite of bread if she had it, that he was a poor hungry absconding slave.
Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, an American Slave, Written by Himself | Henry Bibb

The most serious charge is that of receiving a bribe from Harpalus, the absconding treasurer of Alexander.
Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern Volume 11 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for abscond

abscond

/ (əbˈskɒnd) /

verb

(intr) to run away secretly, esp from an open institution or to avoid prosecution or punishment

Origin of abscond

C16: from Latin abscondere to hide, put away, from abs- ab- 1 + condere to stow

Derived forms of abscond

absconder, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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