[f. FUGITIVE a. + -NESS.] The quality or condition of being fugitive (see the adj.).
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, I. (1662), 38. The Ficklenesse and Fugitivenesse of such Servants, justly addeth a valuation to their constancy, who are Standards in a Family.
1664. H. More, Antid. Idol., 2. The Ludicrousnesse and Fugitivenesse of our wanton Reason.
1680. Boyle, Scept. Chem., v. 318. That also divers Salts … are very Volatile, is plain from the fugitiveness of Salt.
1822. Hazlitt, Table-t., Ser. II. i. (1869), 2. The suddenness and fugitiveness of the interest taken in them.
1833. Lamb, Elia, Superann. Man, II. What with my sense of its fugitiveness, and over-care to get the greatest quantity of pleasure out of it.
