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

The memo, which came to be known as the “abduction opinion,” paved the way for seizing Noriega to face domestic drug trafficking charges.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mira’s addition and her abduction at the end of the finale kick off a serialized quest in the second season.

From Salon

Nigerian officials have announced that schools in Niger state will start reopening later this month, following a mass abduction in November that forced their closure as part of emergency security measures.

From BBC

Noriega also argued his forcible military abduction violated international law and the Panamanian government’s sovereignty, thereby depriving courts of jurisdiction.

From The Wall Street Journal

The family has long maintained the police's theories were attempts to cover up their role in his abduction.

From BBC

Related Words

• kidnapping
• rape
• seizure
• theft