ABDUCTION
abduction
(noun) (physiology) moving of a body part away from the central axis of the body
abduction
(noun) the criminal act of capturing and carrying away by force a family member; if a man’s wife is abducted it is a crime against the family relationship and against the wife
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
abduction (countable and uncountable, plural abductions)
Leading away; a carrying away. [Early 17th century.]
(anatomy) The act of abducing or abducting; a drawing apart; the movement which separates a limb or other part from the axis, or middle line, of the body. [Mid 17th century.]
(logic) A syllogism or form of argument in which the major premise is evident, but the minor is only probable. [Late 17th century.]
The wrongful, and usually forcible, carrying off of a human being. [Mid 18th century.]
Usage notes
• In Gregg shorthand (version: Centennial, Series 90, DJS, Simplified, Anniversary, Pre-Anniversary) the word is represented: a - b - d - u - k - sh
Synonyms
• (legal, carrying off of human being): appropriation; kidnapping; seizure; withdrawal
• (logic): retroduction; abstraction
Antonyms
• (physiology): adduction
replacement; restitution; restoration; surrender; reinstatement
Source: Wiktionary
Ab*duc"tion, n. Etym: [L. abductio: cf. F. abduction.]
1. The act of abducing or abducting; a drawing apart; a carrying away. Roget.
2. (Physiol.)
Definition: The movement which separates a limb or other part from the axis, or middle line, of the body.
3. (Law)
Definition: The wrongful, and usually the forcible, carrying off of a human being; as, the abduction of a child, the abduction of an heiress.
4. (Logic)
Definition: A syllogism or form of argument in which the major is evident, but the minor is only probable.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
3 May 2025
DESIRABLE
(adjective) worth having or seeking or achieving; “a desirable job”; “computer with many desirable features”; “a desirable outcome”
Do you know this game?
Wordscapes is a popular word game consistently in the top charts of both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The Android version has more than 10 million installs. This guide will help you get more coins in less than two minutes of playing the game. Continue reading Wordscapes: Get More Coins