hijacking
|hi-jack-ing|
/ˈhaɪdʒækɪŋ/
(hijack)
seize control
Etymology
'hijack' originates from American English slang (early 20th century), specifically the compound form 'hi-jack', where the element 'hi-' is an alteration related to 'high-' (as in 'highway') and 'jack' meant 'to rob or seize'.
'hijack' changed from early U.S. criminal slang 'hi-jack' used to mean 'to rob or hold up (a vehicle/driver)' and eventually became the modern English word 'hijack' with senses including 'to seize control of an aircraft' and extended metaphorical uses.
Initially, it meant 'to rob a vehicle or demand protection money from drivers', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to seize control of a vehicle or operation (often by force)' and broadened to include metaphorical takeovers (e.g., of meetings, discussions, or computer sessions).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of forcibly taking control of a vehicle, especially an aircraft, or seizing a vehicle while in transit.
The hijacking of the airliner led to an international investigation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
an unauthorized takeover of control in a non-physical context, such as taking over a meeting, discussion, process, or computer session.
Session hijacking is a common security threat in web applications.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/11/24 03:40