Kid'nāp, v. t.

[imp. & p. p. KIDNAPED; p. pr. & vb. n. KIDNAPING.] [Ger. kind, Prov. Eng. kid, child, and Prov. Eng. nap, to seize, to grasp. Cf. KNAB, KNAP, and NAB.] To steal and carry away or secrete, as a human being, man, woman, or child; to take by stealth or force for the purpose of carrying off, reducing to slavery, or the like.

You may reason or expostulate with the parents, but never attempt to kidnap their children, and to make proselytes of them. Whately.