abduct

UK: /æbˈdʌkt/ US: /æbˈdʌkt/ ,(ab dukt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ab•duct /æbˈdʌkt/  v. [~ + object]

1. to carry off (a person) illegally and by force; kidnap.

ab•duc•tion /æbˈdʌkʃən/  n. [countable]
ab•duc•tor, n. [countable] See -duc-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ab•duct  (ab dukt′), v.t. 

1. to carry off or lead away (a person) illegally and in secret or by force, esp. to kidnap.
2. Physiology to move or draw away from the axis of the body or limb (opposed to adduct).

• Latin abductus, past participle of abdūcere to abduce
• 1825–35

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

abduct / æbˈdʌkt/ verb (transitive)

1. to remove (a person) by force or cunning; kidnap
2. (of certain muscles) to pull (a leg, arm, etc) away from the median axis of the body
   Compare adduct

Etymology: 19th Century: from the past participle of Latin abdūcere to lead away

abˈductor noun