elude

Etymology

From Latin ēlūdō (“evade, elude”), from ē (“out of”), short form of ex, + lūdō (“play; trick”).

verb

1. (transitive) To evade or escape from (someone or something), especially by using cunning or skill.
   Thus the observation of human blindness and weakness is the result of all philosophy, and meets us at every turn, in spite of our endeavours to elude or avoid it. 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 26
   It leaves City still searching for the Champions League, the trophy that has always eluded them 29 May 2021, Phil McNulty, “Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport
2. (transitive) To shake off (a pursuer); to give someone the slip.
   Podolski gave Walcott a chance to further embellish Arsenal's first-half performance when he eluded James Perch and slipped the ball through to the striker. December 29, 2012, Paul Doyle, “Arsenal's Theo Walcott hits hat-trick in thrilling victory over Newcastle”, in The Guardian
3. (transitive) To escape being understandable to; to be incomprehensible to.
   I get algebra, but calculus eludes me.
4. (transitive) To escape someone's memory, to slip someone's mind.
   The solution of that brainteaser eludes me and the name of the author eludes my memory too.