abduct

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European*h₂ep
2. Proto-Indo-European*h₂epó
3. Proto-Italic*ap
4. Latinab
5. Latinab-
6. Proto-Indo-European*dewk-
7. Proto-Indo-European*déwkti
8. Proto-Italic*doukō
9. Latindūcō
10. Latinabdūcō
11. Latinabductus
12. English todayabduct

From Latin abductus, perfect passive participle of abduco (“to lead away”), from ab (“away”) + duco (“to lead”). * (physiology): Back-formation from abduction.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• Early 17ᵗʰ century. To take away by force; to carry away (a human being) wrongfully and usually with violence or deception; to kidnap.
• Early 17ᵗʰ century. To draw away, as a limb or other part, from the median axis of the body.