escape

Noun

• a valve in a container in which pressure can build up (as a steam boiler); it opens automatically when the pressure reaches a dangerous level

• the discharge of a fluid from some container
  • they tried to stop the escape of gas from the damaged pipe
    
  • he had to clean up the leak
    

• a plant originally cultivated but now growing wild

• a means or way of escaping
  • hard work was his escape from worry
    
  • they installed a second hatch as an escape
    
  • their escape route
    

• an avoidance of danger or difficulty
  • that was a narrow escape
    

• nonperformance of something distasteful (as by deceit or trickery) that you are supposed to do
  • his evasion of his clear duty was reprehensible
    
  • that escape from the consequences is possible but unattractive
    

• an inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy
  • romantic novels were her escape from the stress of daily life
    
  • his alcohol problem was a form of escapism
    

• the act of escaping physically
  • he made his escape from the mental hospital
    
  • the canary escaped from its cage
    
  • his flight was an indication of his guilt
    

Verb

• issue or leak, as from a small opening
  • Gas escaped into the bedroom
    

• flee; take to one's heels; cut and run
  • If you see this man, run!
    
  • The burglars escaped before the police showed up
    

• remove oneself from a familiar environment, usually for pleasure or diversion
  • We escaped to our summer house for a few days
    
  • The president of the company never manages to get away during the summer
    

• be incomprehensible to; escape understanding by
  • What you are seeing in him eludes me
    

• escape potentially unpleasant consequences; get away with a forbidden action
  • She gets away with murder!
    
  • I couldn't get out from under these responsibilities
    

• fail to experience
  • Fortunately, I missed the hurricane
    

• run away from confinement
  • The convicted murderer escaped from a high security prison
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  safety valve , relief valve , escape valve , escape cock , leak , leakage , outflow , evasion , dodging , escapism , flight , get away , elude , get off , get by , get out , miss , break loose