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hijack

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The definition of hijack is to take over something that doesn't belong to you such as a plane, ship, bus or other vehicle, to commandeer or to take over by force.

(verb)

When you take control of a conversation others were having and make it all about you, this is an example of a time when you hijack the conversation.
When the terrorists on 9/11 took over the plane and used it to crash into the World Trade Center in New York City, this is an example of the hijack of a plane by terrorists.

See hijack in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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transitive verb

to steal (goods in transit, a truck and its contents, etc.) by force
to steal such goods from (a person) by force
to cheat, swindle, etc. by or as by the use of force
to seize control forcibly of (an aircraft, bus, ship, etc.), esp. in order to go to a nonscheduled destination

Origin: < hobo slang for robbing sleeping men < high + jack: origin obscure

Related Forms:

hijacker noun

See hijack in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also high·jack

transitive verb hi·jacked also high·jacked, hi·jack·ing also high·jack·ing, hi·jacks also high·jacks

a. To stop and rob (a vehicle in transit).
b. To steal (goods) from a vehicle in transit.
c. To seize control of (a moving vehicle) by use of force, especially in order to reach an alternate destination.
a. To steal from as if by hijacking.
b. To swindle or subject to extortion.

noun

The act or an instance of hijacking.

Origin:

Origin: Probably back-formation from highjacker

Origin: , perhaps from jacker, holdup man

Origin: , from jack, to jacklight

Related Forms: