kidnapping

kid-nap-ping · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The crime or act of taking someone away illegally by force.

  2. 2.

    Present participle of kidnap (as a verb form).

Forms

plural: kidnappings

Related words

See also: abduction, kidnap, kidnapper
Synonyms: abduction, seizure

Etymology

From kidnap + -ing. The word kidnap derives from kid (slang for "child") + nap (archaic slang for "seize").