escape
UK: ɪˈskeɪp | US: ɪˈskeɪp
v. to break free from confinement or control
v. to avoid a threatening or unwanted situation
n. an act of breaking free or avoiding something
The word "escape" originates from the Latin excappare, meaning "to slip out of one's cloak." This vivid metaphor depicted someone fleeing by leaving their cloak behind to evade capture. Over time, the term evolved in Old French as escaper, retaining the core idea of breaking free, and entered Middle English with its modern spelling and broader sense of avoiding danger or confinement.
The prisoner managed to escape through a hidden tunnel.
She narrowly escaped injury in the car accident.
The movie’s plot revolves around a daring escape from a high-security prison.
He tried to escape his responsibilities by leaving town.
The gas leak forced residents to escape their homes quickly.