Fu·gi·tive a.
 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.