Meaning of elude in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /iˈlud/

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    UK accent

  1. Verb

    elude

    Etymology

    mid 16th century (in the sense ‘delude, baffle’): from Latin eludere, from e- (variant of ex-) ‘out, away from’ + ludere‘to play’

    Definitions

    1. escape, either physically or mentally

    Examples

    • « The thief eluded the police »
    • « This difficult idea seems to evade her »
    • « The event evades explanation »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. be incomprehensible to

    Examples

    • « escape understanding by »
    • « What you are seeing in him eludes me »
  3. 3. avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

    Examples

    • « He dodged the issue »
    • « she skirted the problem »
    • « They tend to evade their responsibilities »
    • « he evaded the questions skillfully »

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « It is sadder to find the past again and find it inadequate to the present than it is to have it elude you and remain forever a harmonious conception of memory. »
    F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • « But what you could perhaps do with in these days is a word of most sincere sympathy. Your movement is carried internally by so strong a truth and necessity that victory in one form or another cannot elude you for long. »
    Hjalmar Schacht

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