ELUSIVE

Definition of ELUSIVE

ELUSIVE Adjective

Elusive is an adjective that describes something or someone that is difficult to find, catch, or achieve. It refers to things that are hard to define, understand, or grasp, whether physically, conceptually, or emotionally.

Hard to Find or Capture: When something is elusive, it is challenging to locate, reach, or obtain. For example, “The rare bird remained elusive, evading all attempts to capture it on camera,” highlights something physically difficult to capture or observe.

Difficult to Understand or Define: In a conceptual sense, elusive can refer to ideas or meanings that are hard to comprehend or clearly explain. For instance, “The meaning of the poem was elusive, leaving readers with various interpretations,” suggests that the exact message or meaning of the poem is difficult to pin down.

Challenging to Achieve: Elusive can also describe goals, success, or states of being that are difficult to attain. For example, “For many, true happiness can be elusive despite their best efforts,” implies that happiness is a hard-to-achieve state, often just out of reach.

Science and Discovery: In scientific contexts, elusive often refers to phenomena or answers that are difficult to discover or prove. For instance, “The cure for the disease has been elusive despite years of research,” indicates a solution that has been hard to find.

Criminal and Detective Work: In law enforcement or detective stories, elusive frequently describes a suspect or criminal who is difficult to apprehend. For example, “The detective pursued the elusive criminal across multiple cities,” reflects someone skilled at avoiding capture.

Personal or Emotional Contexts: In personal or emotional contexts, elusive can describe feelings or qualities that are hard to identify or express. For example, “The sense of belonging was elusive, even among friends,” indicates a feeling that is difficult to fully achieve.

Contrast with Attainable: The concept of elusive is often contrasted with attainable, which refers to something easily achieved or obtained. While elusive suggests difficulty or resistance, attainable implies that a goal or object is within reach.

Impact on Motivation: The elusive nature of certain goals or outcomes can affect motivation, sometimes making individuals more determined or, conversely, more frustrated. For example, “The elusive nature of perfection keeps many striving to improve,” indicates that the difficulty of achieving something can drive people to continue their efforts.

Cultural and Contextual Variations: Different cultures or fields may have varying interpretations of what is considered elusive. For instance, a concept that may seem difficult to grasp in one cultural context might be more easily understood in another.

In conclusion, elusive is an adjective that describes something or someone difficult to find, understand, or achieve. It is often used to refer to things that evade capture, comprehension, or attainment, whether they are physical, emotional, or conceptual. Elusive contrasts with attainable, and its meaning can vary across different contexts, from scientific discoveries to personal emotions. Understanding and pursuing the elusive often involves persistence and continued effort.

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Examples of ELUSIVE in a sentence

• The rare bird proved elusive to the researchers, despite their extensive efforts to capture a photograph.
• Success can sometimes be elusive, requiring persistence and adaptability to achieve.
• The concept of happiness is often elusive, with people finding it in different ways.
• The criminal remained elusive, evading capture for months despite a widespread manhunt.
• The solution to the complex problem was elusive, leaving the team to consider new strategies.
• The author’s writing style is elusive, making it challenging to pin down the exact meaning of his texts.
• Despite numerous interviews, the key witness remained elusive and avoided providing any substantial information.
• The perfect balance between work and personal life can often be elusive for many individuals.

Origin of ELUSIVE

The word elusive has its origins in Latin, passing through Old French before entering English, and it describes something that is difficult to grasp, find, or understand.

• Latin:
  • Eludere (to escape, evade)
  • The Latin verb eludere comes from e- (out) and ludere (to play). It originally meant to escape or evade through cunning or trickery, often implying difficulty in being caught or understood.
• Old French:
  • Elusif (difficult to catch or grasp)
  • In Old French, elusif retained the Latin sense of being difficult to grasp or evade, reflecting the idea of something that is elusive or hard to pin down.
• Middle English:
  • Elusive (difficult to understand or find)
  • By Middle English, elusive was used to describe something that is difficult to capture, understand, or achieve, maintaining the meaning from Old French and Latin.
• Modern English:
  • Elusive (hard to define or find, evasive)
  • In Modern English, elusive describes something that is hard to define, find, or understand, reflecting its historical roots in Latin and Old French.

The term elusive has preserved its core meaning of being difficult to grasp or understand from its Latin origin in eludere, through Old French, to its current use in English, where it describes something that evades clear definition or attainment.

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