abduct

The definition of abduct is to illegally take away a person by using force or coercion.

(verb)

An example of abduct is to take a rich person’s child for ransom.

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See abduct in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

  1. to take (a person) away unlawfully and by force or fraud; kidnap
  2. Physiol. to pull (a part of the body) away from the median axis: said of a muscle

Origin: < L abductus, pp. of abducere, to lead away < ab-, away + ducere, to lead: see duct

Related Forms:

See abduct in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb ab·duct·ed, ab·duct·ing, ab·ducts
  1. To carry off by force; kidnap.
  2. Physiology To draw away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part or limb.

Origin:

Origin: Latin abdūcere, abduct-

Origin: : ab-, away; see ab-1

Origin: + dūcere, to lead; see deuk- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • ab·duct·eeˈ noun
  • ab·ducˈtion noun

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