flee

Definition

To run away; to escape.

Etymology

From Middle English flen, from Old English flēon, from Proto-Germanic *fleuhaną, from Proto-Indo-European *plewk-, *plew- (“to fly, flow, run”). Cognate with Dutch vlieden, German fliehen, Icelandic flýja, Swedish fly, Gothic 𐌸𐌻𐌹𐌿𐌷𐌰𐌽 (þliuhan). Within English, related to fly and more distantly to flow.

Example Sentences

• "The prisoner tried to flee, but was caught by the guards."
• "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bolde as a lyon."
• "As they turned into Hertford Street they startled a robin from the poet's head on a barren fountain, and he fled away with a cameo note."

Related Words