Pronunciation: ' kid- ˌ nap
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -napped also -naped \ - ˌ napt \ ; -nap · ping also -nap · ing
Etymology: probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief
Date: 1682
: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
– kid · nap · pee or kid · nap · ee \ ˌ kid- ˌ na- ' p ē \ noun
– kid · nap · per also kid · nap · er noun