v. [f. L. abduct-um, pa. pple. of abdūc-ere; see ABDUCE. Cf. conduct, induct.] Not in Craig, 1847; the earlier word was ABDUCE.
1. To lead or take away improperly, whether by force or fraud; to carry off, to kidnap. Applied especially to the illegal carrying off of a woman or child.
1830. R. Huish, Mem. George IV., 386. note. Here Louis, the pattern of kings, lived (it is a court phrase) with the woman Montespan, with the girl Lavalière, and with all the girls, which it was his desire to abduct from their husbands or their relations.
1834. Landor, Imag. Conv., Exam. of Shaksp. (Sir Thos. Lucy loq.). That a goose on the common … may be seized, bagged, and abducted, with far less offence to the laws.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. IV. 227. His Majesty has been abducted, or spirited away, ‘enlevé,’ by some person or persons unknown.
1848. Leigh Hunt, Jar of Honey, v. 63. Two foxes, one of whom is meditating to abduct his breakfast.
1861. Sat. Rev., No. 286. 400. The dairymaid … is courted by her master’s son, and afterwards forcibly abducted by the same villain.
1877. Stephen, Crim. Law, xxx. 179. A and B, two girls under 16, run away from home together. Neither abducts the other.
2. To draw away (any member of the body) from its natural or ordinary position.
1836. Todd, Cycl. An. & Ph., I. 297/1. The second [muscle] goes to the base of the first toe, and abducts it.
1846. J. Miller, Pract. of Surg., xl. 639. Dislocation [of the Hip] downwards…. The thigh is much abducted, and cannot be brought near its fellow.
