I. ˈfyü-jə-tiv 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
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : a person who flees or tries to escape ; especially : refugee
2. : something elusive or hard to find