abduct

[ ab-duhkt ]
See synonyms for: abductabducted on Thesaurus.com

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 (opposed to adduct).

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Origin of abduct

1
1825–35; <Latin abductus, past participle of abdūcere to abduce

Other words from abduct

  • un·ab·duct·ed, adjective

Words Nearby abduct

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How to use abduct in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abduct

abduct

/ (æbˈdʌkt) /


verb(tr)
  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

Origin of abduct

1
C19: from the past participle of Latin abdūcere to lead away

Derived forms of abduct

  • abductor, noun

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