WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Fu"gi*tive
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [OE. fugitif, F. fugitif, fr. L. fugitivus, fr. fugere to flee. See Bow to bend, and cf. Feverfew.]
Definition : 1. Fleeing from pursuit, danger, restraint, etc., escaping, from service, duty etc.; as, a fugitive solder; a fugitive slave; a fugitive debtor. The fugitive Parthians follow. Shak. Can a fugitive daughter enjoy herself while her parents are in tear Richardson A libellous pamphlet of a fugitive physician. Sir H. Wotton.

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. The me more tender and fugitive parts, the leaves . . . of vegatables. Woodward. 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Fu"gi*tive
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : 1. One who flees from pursuit, danger, restraint, service, duty, etc.; a deserter; as, a fugitive from justice.

2. Something hard to be caught or detained. Or Catch that airy fugitive called wit. Harte. Fugitive from justice (Law), one who, having committed a crime in one jurisdiction, flees or escapes into another to avoid punishment.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913