U

elope

verb (used without object), e·loped, e·lop·ing.

to run off secretly to be married, usually without the consent or knowledge of one’s parents.
to run away with a lover.
to leave without permission or notification; escape: At age 21, the apprentice eloped from his master.
(of a person with a mental disorder or cognitive impairment) to leave or run away from a safe area or safe premises.

verb

(intr) to run away secretly with a lover, esp in order to marry

1590s, “to run off,” probably a reborrowing from Middle Dutch (ont)lopen “run away.” Sense of “run from parents to marry secretly” is 19c. Anglo-French aloper “run away from a husband with one’s lover” is attested from mid-14c., but there is a gap of many years.

The Anglo-French word represents Old French es- + Middle English lepen “run, leap” (see leap (v.)).

The oldest Germanic word for “wedding” is represented by Old English brydlop (cf. Old High German bruthlauft, Old Norse bruðhlaup), literally “bride run,” the conducting of the woman to her new home. Related: Eloped; eloping.