abduction

¹

[ ab-duhk-shuhn ]

noun

1. act of abducting.
2. the state of being abducted.
3. Law. the illegal carrying or enticing away of a person, especially by interfering with a relationship, such as the taking of a child from their parent.

abduction

²

[ ab-duhk-shuhn ]

noun

, Logic.

1. a syllogism whose major premise is certain but whose minor premise is probable.

Word History and Origins

Origin of abduction¹

First recorded in 1620–30; abduct + -ion

Origin of abduction²

First recorded in 1690–1700, abduction is from the New Latin word abductiōn- (stem of abductiō; translation of Greek apagōgḗ ). See abduct, -ion

Example Sentences

Brown has only been charged with kidnapping and burglary in connection with Cash’s abduction while authorities wait for the results of forensic tests.

From The Daily Beast

Scientists will go back to those twilight fields, and bats — at least, the dimmer ones — will return to their caves with new tales of alien abduction and bizarre medical procedures.

From FiveThirtyEight

On Thursday, Lady Gaga’s father, Joe Germanotta, told the New York Post that the family is “devastated” by the abduction of the star’s beloved pets.

From Washington Post

Contrary to claims by governments, Boko Haram and other militant groups are only expanding their influence — as demonstrated by the abduction of Nigerian school students in December.

From Ozy

On Tuesday, officials said they charged Roldan, 40, with abduction in Decker’s disappearance.

From Washington Post

Did he denounce the involvement of organized crime in the abduction and disappearance of 43 students in the nearby city of Iguala?

From The Daily Beast

Now, their love story faces an even bigger threat—his abduction by the Nusra Front.

From The Daily Beast

In the weeks immediately following the mass abduction, about 60 of the kidnapped girls escaped.

From The Daily Beast

The Estonian statement implied the alleged abduction is an intentional slap in the face to the Americans.

From The Daily Beast

The timing of the alleged abduction has triggered alarm throughout the region.

From The Daily Beast

The story of an abduction of the day throws more light upon the state of society than any number of political disquisitions.

From Project Gutenberg

Tharn was beginning to wonder what far-reaching effects this half-mad abduction would have on his future life.

From Project Gutenberg

She knew by this time that Jotan had nothing to do with her abduction; no hireling of his would dare handle her so roughly.

From Project Gutenberg

With closed eyes Adbor gasped out, in a few broken sentences, his story of death and abduction.

From Project Gutenberg

It remains to be explained how the hunters received timely notice of the abduction of Sarah.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• kidnapping
• rape
• seizure
• theft