Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Flee \Flee\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Fleeing}.] [OE. fleon, fleen, AS. fle['o]n (imperf.
   fle['a]h); akin to D. vlieden, OHG. & OS. fliohan, G.
   fliehen, Icel. fl?ja (imperf. fl??i), Dan. flye, Sw. fly
   (imperf. flydde), Goth. pliuhan. (?) 84. Cf. {Flight}.]
   To run away, as from danger or evil; to avoid in an alarmed
   or cowardly manner; to hasten off; -- usually with from. This
   is sometimes omitted, making the verb transitive.

         [He] cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
                                                  --Shak.

         Flee fornication.                        --1 Cor. vi.
                                                  18.

         So fled his enemies my warlike father.   --Shak.

   Note: When great speed is to be indicated, we commonly use
         fly, not flee; as, fly hence to France with the utmost
         speed. ``Whither shall I fly to 'scape their hands?''
         --Shak. See {Fly}, v. i., 5.