/ iˈluːsɪv; NAmE / adjective
difficult to find, define, or achieve :
Eric, as elusive as ever, was nowhere to be found.
the elusive concept of 'literature'
A solution to the problem of toxic waste is proving elusive .
► elu·sive·ly adverb
► elu·sive·ness noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
early 18th cent.: from Latin elus- eluded (from the verb eludere ) + -ive .