kidnapper
(ˈkɪdˌnæpə(r))
Also 7 -knapper, -nabber, (U.S.) kidnaper.
[f. as kidnap v. + -er1. Originally kidˈnapper (quot. 1679); also in Johnson, Ash, etc.; so still in northern use.]
One who kidnaps children or others; a stealer of human beings. Also fig.
| 1678 Phillips (ed. 4), Kidknappers [1696–1706 Kidnappers], those that make a trade of decoying and spiriting away young children to Ship them for foreign Plantations. c 1679 Roxb. Ball. (1890) VII. 13 How like kid-nappers all the day In every corner they survey. 1684 Bunyan Pilgr. ii. 109 Thou practises the craft of a Kidnapper, thou gatherest up Women, and Children, and carriest them into a strange Countrey. 1778 A. Hamilton Wks. (1886) VII. 541 For punishing kidnappers or persons who aid the enemy in carrying off the peaceable inhabitants. 1834 Lytton Pompeii ii. i, The Thessalian kidnapper had stolen the blind girl from gentle parents. 1865 Livingstone Zambesi xxi. 434 It is dangerous to remain in their villages at this time of year when kidnappers are abroad. 1909 O. Jespersen Mod. Eng. Gram. I. 149 Americans write kidnaper, which to an Englishman would suggest [kidneipə] or [-nəpə]. 1969 Eugene (Oregon) Register-Guard 3 Dec. 3A/2 The two men..freed themselves moments after the kidnaper abducted Miss Birdsong and called police. 1973 Philadelphia Inquirer 7 Oct. 19 The kidnapers agreed to call the Millers back several hours later. |
Hence kidˈnappery.
| 1890 Murray's Mag. Apr. 463 The regions of kidnappery, slave-trading, and freebooting! |