What does the term "elusive" indicate about a subject?

The term "elusive" primarily conveys a sense of something that is difficult to catch, grasp, or hold onto. It is often used to describe things that escape easy understanding or capture, suggesting an inherent slipperiness or fleeting quality. When a subject is described as elusive, it typically means that despite efforts to pursue, comprehend, or acquire it, it remains just out of reach or difficult to pin down.

The other interpretations, while they might seem close, do not capture the specific connotation of "elusive." For example, being hard to understand or define involves intellectual concepts rather than the notion of capturing something physically or fully grasping its essence. Similarly, something that is hard to remember speaks to cognitive recall rather than the challenging nature of pursuit implied by "elusive." Therefore, the correct choice captures the essence of difficulty in a more tangible or practical sense of pursuit.