abduct

[ab-duhkt]

verb (used with object)

1. to carry off or lead away (a person) illegally and in secret or by force, especially to kidnap.

2. Physiology.,  to move or draw away from the axis of the body or limb (adduct ).

abduct

/ æbˈdʌkt /

verb

1. to remove (a person) by force or cunning; kidnap

2. (of certain muscles) to pull (a leg, arm, etc) away from the median axis of the body Compare adduct

Other Word Forms

• abductor noun
• unabducted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abduct¹

1825–35; < Latin abductus, past participle of abdūcere to abduce

Word History and Origins

Origin of abduct¹

C19: from the past participle of Latin abdūcere to lead away

Example Sentences

The video showed a tall, lean man wearing a sky-blue T-shirt, dark blue shorts and distinctive striped sandals like those worn by Bipin on the day he was abducted.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Guy Gilboa Dalal was taken from Supernova, his first rave party, along with three friends when he was abducted by Hamas.

Read more on Barron's

Nimrodi, 20, is a soldier who was abducted at a border checkpoint between Israel and northern Gaza.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted since the start of the war, according to Ukraine’s state-run “Bring Kids Back” program, and only a fraction have been returned.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They say former members of the dictator's regime were being targeted with unlawful killings, kidnappings and torture when Mas'ud was abducted from his home by armed men the following year.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• kidnap 
• seize 
• snatch