v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Abducted p. pr. & vb. n. Abducting. ] [ L. abductus, p. p. of abducere. See Abduce. ] 1. To take away surreptitiously by force; to carry away (a human being) wrongfully and usually by violence; to kidnap. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To draw away, as a limb or other part, from its ordinary position. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. (Physiol.) drawing away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part; -- used especially of muscles adducent
Syn. -- abducent [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. abductio: cf. F. abduction. ] 1. The act of abducing or abducting; a drawing apart; a carrying away. Roget. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physiol.) The movement which separates a limb or other part from the axis, or middle line, of the body. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) The wrongful, and usually the forcible, carrying off of a human being; as, the abduction of a child, the abduction of an heiress. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Logic) A syllogism or form of argument in which the major is evident, but the minor is only probable. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL. ] 1. One who abducts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Anat.) A muscle which serves to draw a part out, or form the median line of the body; as, the abductor oculi, which draws the eye outward. [ 1913 Webster ]