elusiveadj.
/ɪˈl(j)uːsɪv/ 1. † b. Of an argument: Evasive, of the nature of a subterfuge. Obsolete.
a. That eludes or seeks to elude. Const. of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [adjective] > taking evasive action > elusive
slippery1573
epileptical1646
elusive1725
1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. ii. 99 Elusive of the bridal day, she gives Fond hopes to all.
1736 T. Gray Let. 8 May in Corr. T. Gray & W. Mason (1853) 3 Then grasp'd its [the ball's] weight, elusive of his hold.
1737 R. Savage Of Public Spirit 56 The grot, elusive of the noontide ray.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective] > evasive > specifically of action or conduct
shuffling1644
elusory1646
elusive1719
evasive1744
1719 D. Waterland Vindic. Christ's Divinity 121 An elusive, equivocating Answer to the Objection.
2.
a. That eludes the grasp or pursuit; chiefly figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > unintelligibility > [adjective]
uncouthc897
unnimlyc1225
incomprehensiblea1340
unsearchablec1384
unknowable?c1400
investigablea1425
uncomprehensiblea1425
unthinkablec1445
imperscrutablec1450
inscrutablec1450
inopinable?a1475
incomprenable1502
unspectable?1504
incogitablec1522
uncogitable1529
impenetrable1531
inimaginable1534
inexplicable1555
unsensible1555
unscrutable1562
unfashionable1563
unpenetrable1581
unexcogitable1592
ineffable1598
inexcogitable1599
indivinable1603
ininvestigable1604
incapable1605
searchless?1606
uncomprehensive1609
unconceivable1611
undivinable1611
unimaginable1611
unexplicable1615
unintelligible1616
unapprehensible?1617
unfathomable1617
imprehensible1622
ununderstandablea1631
indeprehensible1633
indiscernible1635
inscrute1639
inapprehensiblea1641
indiscoverable1640
unexaminable1641
impervestigable1643
fathomless1645
inconceivable1646
indeterminable1646
inexplorable1646
insearchable1647
incomprehended1652
comprehendlessa1654
incomprehensive1656
untraceable1661
uninvestigablea1677
unintelligent1683
incognoscible1691
thought-transcendinga1711
uncognizable1720
acataleptic1727
undescriptive1744
elusive1751
impalpable1781
inaccessible1796
unconjecturable1806
uncognoscible1821
unascertainable1827
unfixable1831
unguessable1832
unrealizable1832
unsurveyable1833
hard-shelled1835
unintellective1837
undeemed1845
graspless1849
unconjectured1850
incognizable1852
ungraspable1853
unreadable1853
super-cerebral1854
elusory1856
trans-conscious1865
intangible1880
uncatchable1892
unspelt1892
unplumbable1895
unknowledgeable1920
indiscutable1933
1751 Student 2 No. 10. 364 Pleasures..insubstantial, elusive, and transitory.
1762 W. Falconer Shipwreck ii. 731 They..groaning, cling upon the elusive weed.
1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. iii. 94 Guérin's elusive, undulating, impalpable nature.
b. That eludes distinct perception or precise definition; evanescent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [adjective] > hard to see > eluding gaze
obscurea1616
subtle1768
elusive1830
eludent1848
1830 A. Cunningham Lives Brit. Painters (ed. 2) II. 142 It presents us with images so vivid and yet elusive.
1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home I. 195 A faint, elusive smell.
1883 Harper's Mag. July 177/2 Striving..after the elusive spirit of the general landscape.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.1719