kidnap
|kid-nap|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈkɪdˌnæp/
🇬🇧
/ˈkɪd.næp/
abduct
Etymology
Etymology Information
'kidnap' originates from the English word 'kid' meaning 'child' and 'nap' meaning 'to snatch or seize'.
Historical Evolution
'kidnap' changed from the 17th-century English word 'kidnapper' and eventually became the modern English word 'kidnap'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to seize a child', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to abduct any person'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/04/02 02:20