kid-nap

kidnap (ˈkɪdnæp)

—vb , (US) -naps, -napping, -napped, -naps, -naping, -naped
	(tr) to carry off and hold (a person), usually for ransom

[C17: kid¹ + obsolete nap to steal; see nab]

'kidnapper

—n

'kidnaper

—n

'kidnapping

—n

'kidnaping

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

kidnap

1673, compound of kid (n.) "child" and nap "snatch away," variant of nab; originally "stealing children to provide servants and laborers in the American colonies."

Matching Quote

"I was alone with all that could happen. I began to wonder if the Pedersens had a dog, if the Pedersen kid had a dog or cat maybe and where it was if they did and if I'd known its name and whether it'd come if I called. I tried to think of its name as if it was something I'd forgot. I knew I was all muddled up and scared and crazy and I tried to think god damn over and over or what the hell or jesus christ, instead, but it didn't work. All that could happen was alone with me and I was alone with it."

-William Gass

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