Refugee

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɹɛfjudÊ’iː/, /ɹɛfjuˈdÊ’iː/
• Rhymes: -iː

Origin

From French réfugié, past participle of réfugier ("to take refuge"), describing early French protestants seeking refuge.

Full definition of refugee

Noun

1. A person seeking refuge in a foreign country out of fear of political persecution or the prospect of such persecution in his home country, i.e., a person seeking a political asylum.
2. A person seeking refuge in a foreign country due to poverty and no prospect of overcoming said poverty in his home country, i.e., a person seeking an economic asylum.
3. A person seeking refuge due to a natural disaster.
4. A person formally granted a political or economic asylum by a country other than his home country.

Derived terms

• reffo
• refugeehood

Verb

1. (transitive, US, historical) To convey (slaves) away from the advance of the federal forces.