v.
Pronunciation: ē - ' lüd
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: elud · ed ; elud · ing
Etymology: Latin eludere, from e- + ludere to play ― more at LUDICROUS
Date: 1667
1 : to avoid adroitly : EVADE <the mice eluded the traps> <managed to elude capture>
2 : to escape the perception, understanding, or grasp of <subtlety simply elude s them> <victory continued to elude us>
3 : DEFY 4 <it elude s explanation>
synonyms see ESCAPE