Flee (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fleeing.] [OE. fleon, fleen, AS. fleon (imperf. fle�xa0;h); akin to D. vlieden, OHG. & OS. fliohan, G. fliehen, Icel. flja (imperf. fli), Dan. flye, Sw. fly (imperf. flydde), Goth. pliuhan. () 84. Cf. Flight.]
To run away, as from danger or evil; to avoid in an alarmed or cowardly manner; to hasten off; -- usually with from. This is sometimes omitted, making the verb transitive.
[He] cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
Shak.
Flee fornication.
1 Cor. vi. 18.
So fled his enemies my warlike father.
Shak.
⇒ When great speed is to be indicated, we commonly use fly, not flee; as, fly hence to France with the utmost speed. "Whither shall I fly to 'scape their hands?" Shak. See Fly, v. i., 5.
© Webster 1913.