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Definition of abduct

abduct

/æbˈdʌkt/
ab · duct
Adjective:abductive
•
Past Simple:abducted
•
Past Participle:abducted
•
Present Participle:abducting
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abduct Lexical Profile

abduct Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To take someone away illegally by force or deception; to kidnap.

Example

"In Greek mythology, Hades emerged from the underworld to abduct Persephone while she was gathering flowers."

2

To draw or pull a limb or other body part away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part (in anatomy and physiology).

Example

"The physical therapist asked the patient to slowly abduct her arm to test the strength of her deltoid muscle."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for abduct
Antonyms
View all antonyms for abduct

Word Nuance & Usage

In anatomy, do not confuse 'abduct' (to draw a limb away from the midline of the body) with 'adduct' (to draw a limb toward the midline of the body).

• Rhymes for abduct

• Nearby Words

abdomen
abdominal
abdominally
abduct
abductee
abduction
abductor

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 17th century from Latin abductus, the past participle of abducere ('to lead away'), formed from ab- ('away from') and ducere ('to lead').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Abduct. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/abduct
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