escape

Definition

To get free; to free oneself.

Etymology

From Middle English escapen, from Anglo-Norman and Old Northern French escaper ( = Old French eschaper, modern French échapper), from Vulgar Latin *excappāre (“to escape a garment, get out of one's clothing”, literally “to free oneself from one's cape”), from Latin ex- (“out”) + Late Latin cappa (“cape, cloak”). Cognate with escapade. Also doublet of scape.

Example Sentences

• "The prisoners escaped by jumping over a wall."
• "The factory was evacuated after toxic gases escaped from a pipe."
• "He only got a fine and so escaped going to jail."