Dictionary definitions
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fugitive
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fugitive \Fu"gi*tive\, n.
1. One who flees from pursuit, danger, restraint, service,
duty, etc.; a deserter; as, a fugitive from justice.
[1913 Webster]
2. Something hard to be caught or detained.
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Or Catch that airy fugitive called wit. --Harte.
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Fugitive from justice (Law), one who, having committed a
crime in one jurisdiction, flees or escapes into another
to avoid punishment.
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.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fugitive \Fu"gi*tive\, a. [OE. fugitif, F. fugitif, fr. L. fugitivus, fr. fugere to flee. See Bow to bend, and cf. Feverfew.] 1. Fleeing from pursuit, danger, restraint, etc., escaping, from service, duty etc.; as, a fugitive solder; a fugitive slave; a fugitive debtor. [1913 Webster] The fugitive Parthians follow. --Shak. [1913 Webster] Can a fugitive daughter enjoy herself while her parents are in tear? --Richardson [1913 Webster] A libellous pamphlet of a fugitive physician. --Sir H. Wotton. [1913 Webster] 2. Not fixed; not durable; liable to disappear or fall away; volatile; uncertain; evanescent; liable to fade; -- applied to material and immaterial things; as, fugitive colors; a fugitive idea. [1913 Webster] The me more tender and fugitive parts, the leaves . . . of vegatables. --Woodward. [1913 Webster] Fugitive compositions, Such as are short and occasional, and so published that they quickly escape notice. Syn: Fleeting; unstable; wandering; uncertain; volatile; fugacious; fleeing; evanescent. [1913 Webster]

