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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.