refugee

Meanings

Noun

• A person seeking refuge in a foreign country out of fear of political persecution or the prospect of such persecution in their home country, i.e., a person seeking political asylum.
• A person seeking refuge due to a natural disaster, war, etc.
• A person formally granted political or economic asylum by a country other than their home country.
• A person who flees one place or institution for another.

Verb

• To convey (slaves) away from the advance of the federal forces.

Origin

• From French réfugié, past participle of réfugier, describing early French Protestants seeking refuge after the Edict of Fontainebleau in 1685. Analyzable as refuge + -ee.