Fleeing

Flee Flee (fl[=e]), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fled} (fl[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Fleeing}.] [OE. fleon, fleen, AS. fle['o]n (imperf. fle['a]h); akin to D. vlieden, OHG. & OS. fliohan, G. fliehen, Icel. fl[=y]ja (imperf. fl[=y][eth]i), Dan. flye, Sw. fly (imperf. flydde), Goth. [thorn]liuhan. [root]84. Cf. {Flight}.] 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. [1913 Webster]

[He] cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Flee fornication. --1 Cor. vi. 18. [1913 Webster]

So fled his enemies my warlike father. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Note: 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. [1913 Webster]