Eluder

/ɪˈluːdər/ noun

Definition

A person or thing that successfully avoids or escapes from something.

Etymology

From Latin 'eludere' (to slip away, evade), composed of 'e-' (out) + 'ludere' (to play). The verb 'elude' entered English in the 16th century, and '-er' was added to create this agent noun.

Kelly Says

The Latin root 'ludere' means 'to play' — so 'eluder' originally meant someone who 'plays away' from danger, which is exactly what clever animals and criminals do, turning this into a word for anyone slippery or quick-witted.

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