E*lude" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Eluded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Eluding.] [L. eludere, elusum; e +
ludere to play: cf. F. éluder. See
Ludicrous.] To avoid slyly, by artifice, stratagem, or
dexterity; to escape from in a covert manner; to mock by an
unexpected escape; to baffle; as, to elude an officer; to
elude detection, inquiry, search, comprehension; to
elude the force of an argument or a blow.
Me gentle Delia beckons from the plain,
Then, hid in shades, eludes he eager swain.
Pope.
The transition from fetichism to polytheism seems a
gradual process of which the stages elude close
definition.
Tylor.
Syn. -- To evade; avoid; escape; shun; eschew; flee; mock;
baffle; frustrate; foil.