Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fugitive \Fu"gi*tive\, n.
   1. One who flees from pursuit, danger, restraint, service,
      duty, etc.; a deserter; as, a fugitive from justice.

   2. Something hard to be caught or detained.

            Or Catch that airy fugitive called wit. --Harte.

   {Fugitive from justice} (Law), one who, having committed a
      crime in one jurisdiction, flees or escapes into another
      to avoid punishment.

Fugitive \Fu"gi*tive\, a. [OE. fugitif, F. fugitif, fr. L.
   fugitivus, fr. fugere to flee. See {Bow} to bend, and cf.
   {Feverfew}.]
   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.

Source : WordNet®

fugitive
     adj : lasting for a markedly brief time; "a fleeting glance";
           "fugitive hours"; "rapid momentaneous association of
           things that meet and pass"; "a momentary glimpse" [syn:
            {fleeting}, {momentaneous}, {momentary}]

fugitive
     n 1: someone who flees from an uncongenial situation; "fugitives
          from the sweatshops" [syn: {runaway}]
     2: someone who is sought by law officers; someone trying to
        elude justice [syn: {fugitive from justice}]