abduct

verb

ab·​duct ab-ˈdəkt How to pronounce abduct (audio)
əb-;
sense 2 also
ˈab-ˌdəkt How to pronounce abduct (audio)
abducted; abducting; abducts

transitive verb

1
: to seize and take away (a person) by force
The girl was abducted by kidnappers.
2
: to draw or spread away (a part of the body, such as a limb or the fingers) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body or from the axis of a limb
a muscle that abducts the arm
abductor noun

Examples of abduct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
More than 1,100 people were killed in the October 7 attacks and another 253 people were abducted and taken to Gaza as hostages. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024 Authorities now believe Lindahl abducted Halle from her apartment's parking lot and killed her, Peat said. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024 Based on the book by Patrick Radden Keefe, the nine-episode Say Nothing from FX Productions spans four decades and opens with the disappearance of Jean McConville, a single mother of t10 who was abducted from her home in 1972 and never seen alive again. Marc Berman, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 At least 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others abducted, according to Israeli authorities. Abeer Salman, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abduct 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abdūctus, past participle of abdūcere "to draw (a limb) away from the body," going back to Latin "to lead away, carry off, remove, entice away," from ab- ab- + dūcere "to lead" — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of abduct was in 1765

Dictionary Entries Near abduct

Cite this Entry

“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abduct. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

abduct

verb
ab·​duct ab-ˈdəkt How to pronounce abduct (audio)
1
: to carry (a person) off by force
2
: to draw (a part of the body) away from a middle plane or line that divides the body or a bodily part into right and left halves
abduction
-ˈdək-shən
noun

Medical Definition

abduct

transitive verb
ab·​duct
ab-ˈdəkt, əb- also ˈab-ˌ
: to draw away (as a limb) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body
the peroneus longus extends, abducts, and everts the footC. R. Bardeen
also : to move (similar parts) apart
abduct adjoining fingers
abduction noun

Legal Definition

abduct

transitive verb
ab·​duct ab-ˈdəkt, əb- How to pronounce abduct (audio)
: to carry or lead (a person) away by threat or use of force or often by fraud
also : to restrain or conceal (a person) for the purpose of preventing escape or rescue see also kidnapping
abductor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on abduct

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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