kidnap Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom
abduct; nobble; snatch.
- The industrialist's son was kidnapped

Kid a child + Prov. E. nap to seize, to grasp. Cf. Knab, Knap, Nab.

imperfect & past participle Kidnaped or Kidnapped; present participle & verbal noun Kidnaping or Kidnapping

To take (any one) by force or fear, and against one's will, with intent to carry to another place. Abbott.
You may reason or expostulate with the parents, but never attempt to kidnap their children, and to make proselytes of them. Whately.
✍ Originally used only of stealing children, but now extended in application to any human being, involuntarily abducted.