evade

views updated

e·vade / iˈvād/ • v. escape or avoid, esp. by cleverness or trickery: friends helped him to evade capture for a time. ∎  (of an abstract thing) elude (someone): sleep still evaded her. ∎  avoid giving a direct answer to (a question): he denied evading the question. ∎  avoid dealing with or accepting; contrive not to do (something morally or legally required): difficulties to be faced and not evaded. ∎  escape paying (tax or duty), esp. by illegitimate presentation of one's finances. ∎  defeat the intention of (a law or rule), esp. while complying with its letter.DERIVATIVES: e·vad·a·ble adj.e·vad·er n.