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Kidnaped Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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kidnaped

[ˈkɪd.næpt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

illegal act

Kidnaped is an alternative spelling of kidnapped, which refers to the act of unlawfully taking away and holding a person, typically someone who is a minor, against their will. It often involves the use of force or fraud and is commonly associated with ransom demands. Kidnapping is a serious crime that can lead to severe legal consequences. Victims may experience physical and psychological trauma as a result of their ordeal.

Synonyms

abduct, capture, snatch.

Examples of usage

  • The child was kidnaped from the park.
  • She feared she might be kidnaped while walking alone.
  • Several cases of kidnaped foreigners have made headlines recently.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Aspects

  • Typically, kidnapping is classified as a felony offense, often carrying severe legal penalties.
  • Many jurisdictions define kidnapping specifically as taking someone against their will with intent to hold them for ransom or other demands.
  • Some laws differentiate between children and adults regarding the severity and charges related to kidnapping.

Pop Culture

  • The theme of kidnapping appears frequently in films, often portraying it as the central conflict, like in 'Taken' starring Liam Neeson.
  • Books and TV shows often depict kidnappings, creating tension and engaging narratives, such as in mystery and suspense genres.
  • Kiddnapping has also inspired various video games where player characters must rescue kidnapped individuals or reverse the act.

Psychology

  • Victims of kidnapping can experience trauma, anxiety, and PTSD long after the event, affecting their mental health.
  • The phenomenon of Stockholm syndrome occurs when kidnapping victims develop sympathy for their captors.
  • Research shows that the duration of captivity significantly influences the psychological impact on victims.

History

  • The first widely reported kidnapping case in America was the abduction of Charles Lindbergh's baby in 1932, leading to national attention.
  • During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, child trafficking was rampant in many countries, leading to stricter laws.
  • Kidnapping for ransom has been a practice in various cultures throughout history, often linked to political motives and war.

Origin of 'kidnaped'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from 'kid' meaning a child and 'nap', which historically meant to seize or take away.
  • The term began appearing in the 17th century, originally referring to the act of stealing children.
  • In earlier English, 'nap' related to the act of kidnapping now we understand it as capturing individuals unlawfully.

The word 'kidnap' is believed to have originated in the late 17th century. It is thought to derive from the word 'kid' meaning 'young goat' and 'nap' which is a dialect term meaning to seize or to take. The idea behind the term is that young children may be taken away or seized in a similar manner. Initially, 'kidnap' referred to the act of taking away children for the purpose of selling them as slaves. Over time, the meaning has evolved to encompass a broader range of unlawful abductions, including the abduction of adults or for different purposes such as ransom. As laws regarding kidnapping have developed, the term has become a crucial part of legal language in many jurisdictions, reflecting the seriousness of this crime.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,584, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.