abduction

¹

[ab-duhk-shuhn]

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.

abduction

²

[ab-duhk-shuhn]

noun

Logic.

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

Word History and Origins

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

When asked if protests were related to the barring of the opposition and spate of abductions and killings of government critics, he responded: "I cannot comment on that one."

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If you’re up for it, offer your company on your best buddy’s next “Griffith Park alien abduction outing” — just return home afterward.

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She was initially praised for easing political repression, but the political space has since narrowed, with her government accused of targeting critics through arrests and a wave of abductions.

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In the run-up to the vote, rights groups condemned a "wave of terror" in the east African nation, including a string of high-profile abductions that escalated in the final days.

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Amnesty researcher Roland Ebole told AFP that much of the anger stems from a spate of abductions and murders targeting government critics that many blame on her son.

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Related Words

• kidnapping www.thesaurus.com
• rape 
• seizure 
• theft