escape

es-cape · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To break free from confinement or control.

  2. 2.

    An act of escaping from a place or situation.

  3. 3.

    To succeed in avoiding or eluding something dangerous or unpleasant.

  4. 4.

    A means of escaping or avoiding something.

  5. 5.

    To leak or seep out.

  6. 6.

    To fail to be noticed or remembered by someone.

Forms

plural: escapes

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    escape route — a way out of a dangerous situation
  • •
    narrow escape — barely avoiding danger or trouble
  • •
    escape artist — someone skilled at escaping from restraints
  • •
    fire escape — a structure for emergency exit from a building
  • •
    escape velocity — the speed needed to break free from gravity

Related words

Antonyms: capture, confine, imprison
See also: avoid, evade, flee, freedom
Synonyms: break free, evade, flee, getaway

Etymology

From Old North French eschaper (Modern French echapper), from Vulgar Latin excappare, literally "to get out of one's cape," from Latin ex ("out") + cappa ("cape, cloak").