HIGHJACKER Meaning and
Definition
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A highjacker, sometimes spelled hijacker, is an individual who forcefully takes control of a vehicle, particularly an airplane, ship, train, or automobile, by using violence, threats, coercion, or other illegal means to seize control from its legitimate operator or occupants. This act of highjacking typically involves the intent to utilize the vehicle for malicious purposes or to achieve a specific objective, often holding passengers or cargo as hostages until demands are met.
Highjackers may possess a variety of motives, such as political, ideological, or criminal, using this form of seizure as a tool for their cause, personal gain, or to convey a message. Regardless of their motivations, highjackers universally violate laws governing transportation and often endanger the lives and safety of innocent people.
This term commonly applies to individuals who engage in hijacking within a transnational setting, where they cross territorial jurisdictions upon taking over a vehicle. Highjackers have historically been known to exploit vulnerabilities in transportation systems, such as security gaps or moments of distraction, as opportunities to carry out their illicit activities.
Governments and authorities worldwide have implemented extensive measures, including enhanced security protocols, intelligence gathering, and anti-terrorism initiatives, to prevent and combat highjacking incidents effectively. These efforts aim to protect transportation networks and safeguard the lives of passengers, crew members, and valuable cargo from the threatening actions of highjackers.
Common Misspellings for HIGHJACKER
- gighjacker
- bighjacker
- nighjacker
- jighjacker
- uighjacker
- yighjacker
- hughjacker
- hjghjacker
- hkghjacker
- hoghjacker
- h9ghjacker
- h8ghjacker
- hifhjacker
- hivhjacker
- hibhjacker
- hihhjacker
- hiyhjacker
- hithjacker
- higgjacker
Etymology of HIGHJACKER
The word "hijacker" originated in the 1920s and is derived from the combination of two separate words: "highway" and "jacker".
First, the term "highway" refers to a main road that connects different places. In the context of hijackers, it originally referred to activities involving theft or robbery on public roads.
Second, the term "jacker" is derived from the word "jack", which dates back to the 16th century. "Jack" originally meant a common man or a laborer. Over time, the word developed various meanings, including someone who seizes or takes control of something.
Combining these two terms, "hijacker" emerged as a word to describe individuals who seize control of or take over transportation vehicles, such as airplanes, ships, or vehicles on highways.
Similar spelling words for HIGHJACKER
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