flee Meaning, Definition & Usage
-
verb run away quickly
fly; take flight.
- He threw down his gun and fled
WordNet
Flee intransitive verb
Etymology
OE.Wordforms
Definitions
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. [He] cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke. Shak.
Flee fornication. 1 Cor. vi. 18.
So fled his enemies my warlike father. Shak.
✍ 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.