one who has escaped. Especiallyused of French convicts who escape from New Caledonia. Theword is formed on the model of absentee, refugee, etc.,and is manifestly influenced by Fr. e/chappe/. Escaper is the historical English form. (See Bible, 2Kings ix. 15, margin.) //He means, of course, the so-calledAuthorised Version» which reads, ftn. 5: «let no escaper go,etc.» Even though the Revised Version was published in1885. GJC//
1880. `Melbourne Argus,' July 22, p. 2, col. 3 (`O.E.D.'):
«The ten New Caledonia escapees . . . are to be handed over tothe French consul.»