abducting

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ab·duct

(ăb-dŭkt′)

tr.v. ab·duct·ed, ab·duct·ing, ab·ducts

1. To carry off by force; kidnap.

2. Physiology To draw away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part or limb.

[Latin abdūcere, abduct- : ab-, away; see ab-¹ + dūcere, to lead; see deuk- in Indo-European roots.]

ab·duct·ee′ n.

ab·duc′tion n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Adj.

abducting - especially of muscles; drawing away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part

abducent

physiology - the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms

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References in classic literature ?

So it was that Muda Saffir was forced to compromise, and be satisfied with the chief's assistance in abducting the girl, for it was not so difficult a matter to convince the head hunter that she really had belonged to the rajah, and that she had been stolen from him by the old man and the doctor.

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The Snakes expressed great joy at the intelligence, and offered their services to aid the righteous cause, brightening at the thoughts of taking the field with such potent allies, and doubtless anticipating their turn at stealing horses and abducting squaws.

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Rumours surfaced on social media that an organised gang was abducting children to steal their organs.