Fleeing

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Flee \Flee\ (fl[=e]), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fled} (fl[e^]d); 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[=y]ja (imperf. fl[=y][eth]i), Dan. flye,
     Sw. fly (imperf. flydde), Goth. [thorn]liuhan. [root]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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           [He] cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
                                                    --Shak.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Flee fornication.                        --1 Cor. vi.
                                                    18.
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           So fled his enemies my warlike father.   --Shak.
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     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.
           [1913 Webster]