abduction

¹ American  

[ab-duhk-shuhn] / æbˈdʌk ʃən /

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.

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abduction ² American  

[ab-duhk-shuhn] / æbˈdʌk ʃən /

noun

Logic.

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

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Etymology

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

While an abduction is a rare event, falling and getting lost are common problems for older people, and quickly getting help for a relative in need is critical.

From The Wall Street Journal

The 1974 political kidnapping of newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was front-page news for a year and a half — her abduction, then her announcement that she was joining her captors, then her discovery, arrest, and prosecution.

From Los Angeles Times

News of Guthrie’s abduction 18 days ago has triggered a swell of public interest that’s grown as the case goes unsolved.

From Los Angeles Times

Police said over the weekend that the Guthrie family, including Nancy Guthrie's children and their spouses, are not suspects in her abduction.

From BBC

Police have yet to identify any suspects in her abduction, and her daughter – the Today show presenter Savannah Guthrie – has repeatedly begged the public for help in finding her mother.

From BBC

Related Words

• kidnapping
• rape
• seizure
• theft