fugitive

[ fyoo-ji-tiv ]

noun

1. a person who is fleeing, as from prosecution, intolerable circumstances, etc.; a runaway:

   a fugitive from justice;

   a fugitive from a dictatorial regime.

adjective

1. having taken flight, or run away:

   The Fugitive Slave Act was part of the Compromise of 1850 that led the United States even closer to civil war.

2. fleeting; transitory; elusive:

   fugitive thoughts that could not be formulated.

   Synonyms: temporary, brief, flying, passing, transient

   Antonyms: permanent

3. Fine Arts. changing color as a result of exposure to light and chemical substances present in the atmosphere, in other pigments, or in the medium.
4. dealing with subjects of passing interest, as writings; ephemeral:

   fugitive essays.

   Synonyms: light, trivial, evanescent, momentary

   Antonyms: lasting

5. wandering, roving, or vagabond:

   a fugitive carnival.

fugitive

/ ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪv /

noun

1. a person who flees
2. a thing that is elusive or fleeting

adjective

1. fleeing, esp from arrest or pursuit
2. not permanent; fleeting; transient
3. moving or roving about

Derived Forms

• ˈfugitiveness, noun
• ˈfugitively, adverb

Other Words From

• fu·gi·tive·ly adverb
• fu·gi·tiv·i·ty [fyoo-ji-, tiv, -i-tee], fu·gi·tive·ness noun
• non·fu·gi·tive adjective noun
• non·fu·gi·tive·ly adverb
• non·fu·gi·tive·ness noun
• un·fu·gi·tive adjective
• un·fu·gi·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fugitive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin fugitīvus “fleeing,” equivalent to fugit(us) (past participle of fugere “to flee”) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive ); replacing Middle English fugitif, from Old French

Word History and Origins

Origin of fugitive¹

C14: from Latin fugitīvus fleeing away, from fugere to take flight, run away

Example Sentences

These prewar doctrines formed the basis of the wartime policy by which the Union Army confiscated, freed and eventually enlisted fugitive slaves.

From Washington Post

The fugitive quality of the book’s structure and plot also parallels the arc of his strained on-again, off-again relationship with his mother, who eventually descends into dementia.

From Washington Post

The fugitive, Shawn Lequin Braddy, 37, opened fire on Montgomery County police officers as they closed in on him Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

From Washington Post

“They pursue the most serious violent fugitives we have,” Newsham said.

From Washington Post

After falsely identifying King as the fugitive they were looking for, the officers arrested him before allegedly beating and choking him to the point of unconsciousness.

From Vox

Detectives with a fugitive task force caught up with Polanco and a friend on a Bronx street in the early afternoon.

From The Daily Beast

And Daniel Webster, a great opponent of slavery, supported the vile Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act and all.

From The Daily Beast

He had made arrangements to surrender but failed to show and was picked up as a fugitive in Pennsylvania.

From The Daily Beast

In 1964 you were given a guest star spot on the series The Fugitive.

From The Daily Beast

He spends the rest of the movie struggling to clear his name and channeling Harrison Ford from The Fugitive.

From The Daily Beast

Anthony, titular king of Portugal, died at Paris, a fugitive from the victorious arms of the Spaniards.

From Project Gutenberg

Wallace, the last centre of opposition, was a fugitive, dogged by emissaries of the English King.

From Project Gutenberg

Stirling surrendered and Wallace a fugitive, Edward went home and meditated measures for the government of the conquered country.

From Project Gutenberg

They buy no fugitive matter, and I havent 68 sent them anything since having my interview with Mr. Prentice.

From Project Gutenberg

She hoped that something would turn up and watched the mails very eagerly, hoping that a fugitive check might come.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• elusive