n.
Pronunciation: ' fyü-j ə -tiv
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French fugitif, from Latin fugitivus, from fugitus, past participle of fugere to flee; akin to Greek pheugein to flee
Date: 14th century
1 : running away or intending flight <a fugitive slave> <a fugitive debtor>
2 : moving from place to place : WANDERING
3 a : being of short duration b : difficult to grasp or retain : ELUSIVE c : likely to evaporate, deteriorate, change, fade, or disappear <dyed with fugitive colors>
4 : being of transient interest < fugitive essays>
synonyms see TRANSIENT
– fu · gi · tive · ly adverb
– fu · gi · tive · ness noun