abduction.

1. Reasoning that proposes an explanation for observed facts, often by choosing the best available explanatory account.

2. The taking of someone away by force or unlawful means.

3. Movement of a body part away from the body’s central line.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• abductive inference
• reasoning by abduction

On the page

Abduction suggested a mechanical fault, though alternatives remained.

The detective’s abduction relied on the pattern of the missing items.

Usage notes

Primary category: academic / formal. Forms: Singular abduction; plural abductions. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.