— fugitively , adv. — fugitiveness, fugitivity , n.
/fyooh"ji tiv/ , n.
1. a person who is fleeing, from prosecution, intolerable circumstances, etc.; a runaway: a fugitive from justice; a fugitive from a dictatorial regime.
adj.
2. having taken flight, or run away: a fugitive slave.
3. fleeting; transitory; elusive: fugitive thoughts that could not be formulated.
4. 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.
5. dealing with subjects of passing interest, as writings; ephemeral: fugitive essays.
6. wandering, roving, or vagabond: a fugitive carnival.
[ 1350-1400; fugitivus fleeing, equiv. to fugit ( us ) (ptp. of fugere to flee) + -ivus -IVE; r. ME fugitif ]
Syn. 3. transient, passing, flitting, flying, brief, temporary. 5. momentary, evanescent, trivial, light. 6. straying, roaming.
Ant. 3, 4. permanent. 5. lasting.