elude
/ɪˈl(j)uːd
/verb [with object]
1Escape from or avoid (a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typically in a skilful or cunning way: he tried to elude the security men by sneaking through a back door...
- These were the exact feelings of Joseph Smith who quickly eluded his pursuers.
- The quarry twisted, turned and doubled back at speed in an attempt to elude its pursuer.
- It is Meredith who unwittingly brings Tom Ripley crashing to earth when it seems that he has eluded danger and gotten away without punishment for his dark deeds.
Synonyms
evade, avoid, get away from, dodge, flee, escape (from), run (away) from;
lose, duck, shake off, give the slip to, slip away from, throw off the scent
informal slip through someone's fingers, slip through the net
archaic circumvent, bilk
1.1Avoid compliance with (a law or penalty): we need to ensure that bad cases do not elude tough penalties...
- Obviously the first conception can breed bureaucrats who are adept at figuring out ways to elude the law (it also explains Italian drivers).
2(Of an achievement or something desired) fail to be attained by (someone): sleep still eluded her...
- It is said that a greater achievement eluded him.
- He then tackled the Caledonians, victory narrowly eluding him in the sixth season but being won at a great battle late in the seventh, mons Graupius, probably September 83.
- Somehow popular success has eluded him, but his recent live performance CD Courier should have brought him prominently into the spotlight.
2.1(Of an idea or fact) fail to be understood or remembered by (someone): the logic of this eluded most people...
- This fact sometimes eludes the people writing about it.
- Some of the more technical details eluded him, but he understood most of what his companions were saying.
- However, one important fact has eluded you: If you take this job, how much will you be paid?
Derivatives
elusion
/ noun ...- In fact, ultimately there is a dissatisfying, unanswered yearning come the dénouement, which has far less symbolic impact and far more narrative elusion than Martel would have you believe.
- After progressing along a lengthy celluloid trail of elusions, revelations, and double-back sidesteps, it would appear that the strange case of Mr. Ozon's filmographic trajectory is finally drawing to a close.
- Vagueness was his specialty and elusion was his trade.
Origin
Mid 16th century (in the sense 'delude, baffle'): from Latin eludere, from e- (variant of ex-) 'out, away from' + ludere 'to play'.