[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/fugitive/)

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# fugitive

noun (a fugitive, fugitives); adjective (fugitive)

«fugitive» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A person who is running away or hiding, especially from the police or from danger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/#m1)
2. (adjective) Running away or escaping: «a fugitive slave». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/#m2)
3. (literary, adjective) Lasting only a short time, fleeting: «a fugitive smile». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories, history and the news. In The Wind in the Willows Toad becomes a fugitive after escaping from prison, disguised as a washerwoman. In history lessons on slavery, fugitives escaped to freedom along the Underground Railroad. In the Bible, Cain is told he will be a fugitive and a wanderer.

### Examples

- The fugitive hid in the woods from the police. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/#x1)
- Toad was now a fugitive, running from the law. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/#x2)
- Fugitives from the war crossed the border. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/#x3)
- Harriet Tubman helped fugitive slaves reach freedom. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/#x4)
- The police caught the fugitive at the station. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/#x5)
- A fugitive smile crossed her face. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/#x6)
- In vain do the fugitives attempt to escape. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/#x7)

### Note

Not the same as a refugee: a refugee flees danger to find safety and is not a criminal; «fugitive» often means running from the law. Comes from Latin «fugere», to flee.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it is a person who flees or wanders, such as Cain after he killed Abel, or refugees running from war. Isaiah also uses it for the Chaldeans who will flee when Babylon falls.

**Interpretation.** Cain's fate as a fugitive and wanderer is read by tradition as the result of the terrible crime of murder. Isaiah's words are read as God's judgment on a proud empire that makes its people fugitives.

### Examples

- The inhabitants of the land of Tema did meet the fugitive with his bread. (Prophets ISA.21.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fugitive/#x1)
- 'Give counsel, execute justice; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; betray not the fugitive. (Prophets ISA.16.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fugitive/#x2)
- When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.' (Torah GEN.4.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fugitive/#x3)
- Thus saith the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring down all of them as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their shouting. (Prophets ISA.43.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fugitive/#x4)

### Note

Not the same as a refugee: a refugee flees danger to find safety and is not a criminal; «fugitive» often means running from the law. Comes from Latin «fugere», to flee.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «fugitive» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fugitive/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«fugitive» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/fugitive.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «fugitive» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fugitive/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«fugitive» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/fugitive.html) on Mova free.