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

Dylan Johnson, assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, confirmed the abduction of an American journalist, without naming Kittleson.

From BBC

The abductions started a little over a decade ago.

From Los Angeles Times

NBC is also airing a special “Dateline” episode on the abduction on Friday.

From Los Angeles Times

Guthrie’s interview comes nearly two months since Nancy’s Guthrie’s abduction.

From Los Angeles Times

Savannah Guthrie will appear Thursday on NBC’s “Today” for the first time since the Feb. 1 abduction of her mother.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• kidnapping
• rape
• seizure
• theft