abduct

American  

[ab-duhkt] / æbˈdʌkt /

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 ).

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abduct British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• abductor noun
• unabducted adjective

Etymology

Origin of abduct

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

Compare meaning

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

• abduct vs. adduct

Example Sentences

"Our courts have long recognised that for a defendant, even if they are kidnapped or abducted or forcibly brought to the US, that is not grounds for tossing out the case," she said.

From BBC

When he was 11, he began portraying Will Byers, the baby-faced boy who was abducted while biking home at night from a friend’s house and pulled into an alternate dimension known as the Upside Down.

From Los Angeles Times

"Most of those arriving are women and children. Very few adult men are with them," he told AFP, adding that many men stay behind "out of fear of being killed or abducted."

From Barron's

However, the Catholic Church said on Thursday that about 35 students who either escaped or had not been abducted in the first place did not show up for a headcount immediately after the kidnapping.

From Barron's

Police spokesperson Alabo Alfred said the authorities have "deployed assets" to the affected area to ensure that those abducted are rescued.

From BBC

Related Words

• kidnap
• seize
• snatch