All 3 Uses of

elude
in
The Chocolate War

Archie knew what it was and recognized it, although it eluded a definition.
Chpt 5 *

eluded = was unachievable to give

He continued to fade, fade, easy, easy, stalling until he could spot The Goober, tall and rangy, downfield where he'd be waiting if he had managed to elude the safety-man.
Chpt 12 *

elude = avoid (get away from)

But feeling that Archie had somehow eluded him, had somehow won a victory, Carter said, "Look, Archie, if this backfires, if the sale doesn't work, then you've screwed yourself up, do you understand?†
Chpt 27

Definitions:

(1) (elude as in: she eluded the police)
to avoid, or get away from
in various senses, including:
- "She eluded the police."
- "She eluded danger and finally arrived safely at home."
- "She always messes up, but some how eludes taking responsibility."
(2) (elude as in: your point eludes me)
to escape understanding, memory, or achievement
(3) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
meaning too rare to warrant focus:

All the meanings of elude are a variation (often metaphorically) of not being able to get a hold of something.