Origin: Latin suffix -ive
Fugitive has 5 different meanings across 2 categories:
someone who is sought by law officers; someone trying to elude justice
"The police issued a manhunt for the fugitive who had stolen millions from the bank before vanishing into the night."
A person who flees or escapes and travels secretly from place to place, and sometimes using disguises and aliases to conceal his/her identity, as to avoid law authorities in order to avoid an arrest or prosecution; or to avoid some other unwanted situation.
"The former athlete moved through several cities under different names while remaining a fugitive from the league's investigation into steroid use."
lasting for a markedly brief time
"a fleeting glance"
"fugitive hours"
"rapid momentaneous association of things that meet and pass"
"a momentary glimpse"
Fleeing or running away; escaping.
"After the bank robbery, the fugitive vanished into the crowded streets before the police could catch up."