Other

kidnap

Syllabification: (kid·nap)

Pronunciation: /ˈkidˌnap/

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Definition of kidnap

verb (kidnaps, kidnapping, kidnapped; also kidnaping, kidnaped)

[with object]

take (someone) away illegally by force, typically to obtain a ransom.

noun

the action of kidnapping someone:they were arrested for robbery and kidnap

Derivatives

kidnapper

Origin:

late 17th century: back-formation from kidnapper, from kid¹ + slang nap 'nab, seize'

Spelling help

Kidnap is an exception to the rule that you only double the last letter when adding endings which begin with a vowel to a word ending in a vowel plus a consonant if the stress is at the end of the word. In this case, the stress is at the beginning of the word, but you should still double the p: (kidnaps, kidnapping, kidnapped).

kidnap in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of kidnap in the British & World English dictionary

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