Kidnap

To forcibly and unlawfully hold, keep, detain and confine a person against his or her will. So, involuntariness or coercion in connection with the victim's detention is an essential part of the offense.

The forcible and unlawful abduction and conveying away of a man, woman or child, from his or her home, without his or her will or consent and sending such person away with an intent to deprive him or her of some right. This is an offence at common law.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.