Entkomen

Entkomen is a French verb that translates to "to escape," "to get away," or "to evade" in English. It describes the act of freeing oneself from a difficult situation, confinement, or danger. The word can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Literally, entkomen refers to a physical escape. For example, a prisoner might entkomen from jail, or an animal might entkomen from its enclosure. This usage emphasizes the act of breaking free from physical restraint or confinement.

Figuratively, entkomen can refer to escaping from less tangible situations. One might entkomen from debt, from a boring conversation, or from a difficult emotional state. In this sense, it means to successfully avoid or overcome something unpleasant or undesirable. The verb implies a successful or at least attempted act of liberation.

The etymology of entkomen traces back to the Old French "escombre," meaning obstruction or hindrance, and "en-" meaning "in" or "into." The prefix "en-" suggests the idea of getting into a state of being free from something, while "komen" relates to the idea of coming out or emerging. This etymological background reinforces the core meaning of emerging from a state of being trapped or hindered.