abductor

¹ American  

[ab-duhk-ter] / æbˈdʌk tər /

noun

1. a person who abducts.

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abductor ² American  

[ab-duhk-ter] / æbˈdʌk tər /

noun

1. any muscle that abducts (opposed to adductor).

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abductor Scientific  

/ ăb-dŭk′tər /

1. A muscle that draws a limb or part of a limb away from the midline of the body.

2. Compare adductor

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Etymology

Origin of abductor¹

First recorded in 1840–50; abduct + -or ²

Origin of abductor²

From New Latin, dating back to 1605–15; see origin at abduce, -tor

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

abductor

Overlaying the rescue of the boy and the identification of the abductor is a nuanced and troubling examination of trauma and how it creates its own kind of prison.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

My symptoms matched all the descriptions for the rarer form of the disorder, called abductor spasmodic dysphonia.

From Slate ● Apr. 18, 2026

The Guthrie family has publicly pleaded with the alleged abductor to return their mother, and has offered money as they seek proof of life and any information about her whereabouts.

From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2026

Young returned against Washington to play for the first time this year after having abductor surgery before the season.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 16, 2023

This condition is known as unilateral abductor paralysis, and is accompanied by interference with inspiration and phonation.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander