abduction

¹

[ ab-duhk-shuhn ]

noun

1. act of abducting.
2. the state of being abducted.
3. Law. the illegal carrying or enticing away of a person, especially by interfering with a relationship, such as the taking of a child from their parent.

abduction

²

[ ab-duhk-shuhn ]

noun

, Logic.

1. a syllogism whose major premise is certain but whose minor premise is probable.

Word History and Origins

Origin of abduction¹

First recorded in 1620–30; abduct + -ion

Origin of abduction²

First recorded in 1690–1700, abduction is from the New Latin word abductiōn- (stem of abductiō; translation of Greek apagōgḗ ). See abduct, -ion

Example Sentences

The girl is also at the centre of an abduction plot - something community leader Sue-Anne Hunter called a "particularly insensitive choice", given the "painful historical context" of the Stolen Generations.

From BBC

John Cannan, 70, was jailed in 1989 for the abduction and murder of newlywed Shirley Banks from Bristol.

From BBC

Sophie Turner’s lawsuit against Joe Jonas accusing the musician of child abduction has officially been dismissed.

From Los Angeles Times

He gave a credulity-straining story about the night of the abduction, however.

From Los Angeles Times

To investigators at the scene of Polly Klaas’ abduction in early October 1993, the story strained belief.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• kidnapping
• rape
• seizure
• theft