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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The man’s daughter had been abducted decades before. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Plot: The Simpsons are abducted by Kang or Kodos, who either want to eat them or treat them like kings. Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024 Fletcher, who was 34 at the time of her death, was abducted while out on a run in the early hours of Sept. 2, 2022. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 But others noted that Netanyahu’s harsh attacks on Lebanon’s Hezbollah in recent weeks have made a huge difference in restoring Israel’s deterrence, shattered by the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas which killed 1,200 people, with another 250 abducted. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 26 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 22 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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