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View synonyms for abduct

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • abˈductor, noun
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Other Words From

  • unab·ducted adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abduct1

1825–35; < Latin abductus, past participle of abdūcere to abduce
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abduct1

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

How does abduct compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Smith, along with others, abducted Johnson at gunpoint from an ATM.

Many Aboriginal stories say the boys, or man, in Orion are chasing the seven sisters—and one of the sisters has died, or is hiding, or is too young, or has been abducted, so again only six are visible.

In more extreme cases, SARS officers abduct civilian targets and force them to make withdrawals at an ATM in exchange for their freedom, sometimes at gunpoint.

From Quartz

In cases where girls are abducted or tricked into marrying out of state, their experiences of isolation, dislocation and their struggle for a sense of belonging are much more nuanced.

In many cases, these women are considered “missing” or remain abandoned by their family due to the shame and stigma associated with being sold or abducted for marriage.

The day before there had been an attempt to abduct him, she says.

When Syrian soldiers from the Interior Ministry roared up in a white Toyota van to abduct me, I was startled.

“I thought no one could enter the tank and abduct me,” he said.

The fairies abduct human children, leaving 'changelings' in cradles, or carry off wives to act as 'wet nurses' or midwives.

There was one particular villain, for instance, who attempted to abduct her no less than four times.

They sometimes abduct men who have never trod the deck of a ship p. 785before.

If he had abducted Ivan, would he hesitate to abduct Litizki if he found that the little tailor was in his way?

An ingenious, bold but unsuccessful attempt was made to abduct him from New York before the execution of the unfortunate Andre.

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abducent nerveabductee