adj. & n.
--adj.
1. fleeing; that runs or has run away.
2 transient, fleeting; of short duration.
3 (of literature) of passing interest, ephemeral.
4 flitting, shifting.
--n.
1. (often foll. by from) a person who flees, esp. from justice, an enemy, danger, or a master.
2 an exile or refugee.
Derivatives:
fugitively adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF fugitif -ive f. L fugitivus f. fugere fugit- flee