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abductor

1 American  
[ab-duhk-ter] / æbˈdʌk tər /

noun

  1. a person who abducts.

abductor 2 American  
[ab-duhk-ter] / æbˈdʌk tər /

noun

  1. any muscle that abducts (adductor ).

abductor Scientific  
/ ăb-dŭk′tər /

  1. A muscle that draws a limb or part of a limb away from the midline of the body.

  2. Compare adductor

Etymology

Origin of abductor1

First recorded in 1840–50; abduct + -or 2

Origin of abductor2

From New Latin, dating back to 1605–15; abduce, -tor

Vocabulary lists containing abductor

Human Anatomy and Physiology - High School

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Guthrie family has publicly pleaded with the alleged abductor to return their mother, and has offered money as they seek proof of life and any information about her whereabouts.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

Rojas is injured, having aggravated a left abductor muscle injury trying to make the play in question and sat out Game 4.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2024

The game was the first for Young this season after he had returned from surgery on his abductor.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 12, 2023

Veteran backup Josh Wells is out with an abductor injury.

From Washington Times • Aug. 21, 2023

The child can use its adductor and abductor muscles for the toes quite as well as for the fingers.

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.