Eluded Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
🐇
eluded
[ɪˈluːdɪd ]
Definition
escape or avoid
To elude means to escape from or avoid something or someone, often in a clever or skillful way. It can imply a sense of agility or cunning in avoiding capture or detection.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The suspect eluded the police for hours.
- She managed to elude the questions during the interview.
- The rabbit eluded the predator in the woods.
- He eluded the truth by changing the subject.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- The term has appeared in classical literature, often to describe characters who cleverly avoid danger or capture.
- Famous literary figures like Sherlock Holmes have utilized the concept of eluding in their mystery-solving escapades.
- In poetry, the word is often used metaphorically to describe fleeting ideas or elusive emotions.
Psychology
- In psychological contexts, 'eluded' can describe memories or thoughts that are difficult to grasp, often tied to the concept of repression.
- Studies show that humans often elude painful memories by redirecting attention to other thoughts, illustrating the mind's defense mechanisms.
- The feeling of being eluded can also tie into anxiety, where individuals report that certain feelings escape their understanding.
Pop Culture
- The concept of eluding is prevalent in films and TV shows, particularly in heist or chase scenes where characters must evade capture.
- Video games often feature mechanics where players must elude enemies to progress or complete objectives.
- Songs frequently explore themes of elusiveness, often using the word to describe unattainable love or dreams.
Science
- In the context of animal behavior, certain species elude predators through camouflage or high-speed escapes.
- The term is used in discussions about knowledge eluding scientists, implying areas of research that remain unexplored or misunderstood.
- In physics, concepts can escape or elude comprehension until new theories and frameworks are developed.
Origin of 'eluded'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'eludere', which means 'to evade' or 'to escape'.
- The prefix 'e-' means 'out' or 'away' and 'ludere' means 'to play', hinting at a playful escape.
- The transition from Latin to Middle English saw 'eluded' take on its modern form with the same meaning.
The word 'elude' has its roots in the Latin term 'eludere', which means 'to evade' or 'to escape'. This Latin word is composed of the prefix 'e-' or 'ex-', meaning 'out' or 'from', and 'ludere', meaning 'to play'. The evolution of 'elude' into English occurred in the late Middle Ages, around the late 14th century, when it began to take on its current form and meaning in terms of avoiding or escaping something. Throughout its history, 'elude' has been associated with both physical and conceptual forms of evasion, applying to situations ranging from the literal act of fleeing from danger to more abstract forms of avoiding responsibility or truth. Modern usage often conveys a sense of dexterity and cleverness in the act of eluding.