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.
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.
Fu"gi*tive (?), n. 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.
