ə̇ˈvāzhən, ēˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English evasioun, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French evasion, from Late Latin evasion-, evasio, from Latin evasus, (past participle of evadere to evade) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at evade
1.
a. : physical escape or flight
every abolitionist took part in a conspiracy of evasion — S.E.Morison & H.S.Commager
rented a house … for midweek evasions of Paris — Janet Flanner
b. : mental escape
on this basis the springs of action are cleansed without evasion into a false spirituality — A.N.Wilder
c. : means of escape
war and travel have been the accredited evasion by which a member … may relax the pursuit of decorum without derogation of dignity — F.J.Mather
2.
a. : the act or an instance of evading, dodging, or equivocating : failure to answer or state one's position directly or candidly
it was not a case of evasion , quibbling, or concealment … it was sheer, blank, bottomless ignorance — S.H.Adams
you always come back to my point, in spite of your wrigglings and evasions and sophistries — G.B.Shaw
b. : the act of evading, dodging, or circumventing a law, responsibility, or obligation ; specifically : the act of failing to pay taxes or of minimizing taxes in violation of law
opportunities for tax evasion … favor self-employment — R.B.Goode