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REFERENCE

escape

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ɪˈskeɪp// UK //ɛskˈeɪp// es·cape Archaic General-service

n. an act of getting away from a dangerous place or a boring situation. You can also use it to describe a way to avoid reality, like reading a book or watching a movie.

n. the act of breaking free from confinement, danger, or a restrictive environment. Often used figuratively to describe a diversion that provides relief from unpleasant realities.


SIMPLE

The prisoner made a daring escape through the window.

CONTEXTUAL

Many people find that gardening provides a perfect escape from the stress of their daily office jobs.

COMPLEX

The architect included a secondary stairwell to ensure a rapid escape in the event of a fire, while also serving as a discreet service entrance.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English escapen, from Anglo-Norman and Old Northern French escaper ( = Old French eschaper, modern French échapper), from Vulgar Latin *excappāre (“to escape a garment, get out of one's clothing”, literally “to free oneself from one's cape”), from Latin ex- (“out”) + Late Latin cappa (“cape, cloak”). Cognate with escapade. Also doublet of scape.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'from' to indicate the source of confinement or stress.

Pitfall

he made an escape of the prisonhe made an escape from the prisonThe noun escape typically takes the preposition 'from' rather than 'of' when indicating the location being left.

Idioms1 entry

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