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.
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         [He] cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
                                                  --Shak.
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         Flee fornication.                        --1 Cor. vi.
                                                  18.
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         So fled his enemies my warlike father.   --Shak.
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   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.
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