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abortion
[uh-bawr-shuhn]
noun
Also called voluntary abortion.the removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus in order to end a pregnancy.
any of various surgical methods for terminating a pregnancy, especially during the first six months.
Also called spontaneous abortion.miscarriage.
an immature and nonviable fetus.
any malformed or monstrous person, thing, etc.
Biology.the arrested development of an embryo or an organ at a more or less early stage.
the stopping of an illness, infection, etc., at a very early stage.
Informal.
shambles; mess.
anything that fails to develop, progress, or mature, as a design or project.
abortion
/ əˈɔːʃə /
noun
an operation or other procedure to terminate pregnancy before the fetus is viable
the premature termination of pregnancy by spontaneous or induced expulsion of a nonviable fetus from the uterus
the products of abortion; an aborted fetus
the arrest of development of an organ
a failure to develop to completion or maturity
the project proved an abortion
a person or thing that is deformed
abortion
Induced termination of pregnancy, involving destruction of the embryo or fetus.
Any of various procedures that result in such termination.
Spontaneous abortion; miscarriage.
Cessation of a normal or abnormal process before completion.
abortion
1The ending of pregnancy and expulsion of the embryo or fetus, generally before the embryo or fetus is capable of surviving on its own. Abortion may be brought on intentionally by artificial means (induced abortion) or may occur naturally (spontaneous abortion, which is commonly referred to as a miscarriage). (Compare stillbirth; see also family planning and population control.)
abortion
2The deliberate termination of a pregnancy, usually before the embryo or fetus is capable of independent life. In medical contexts, this procedure is called an induced abortion and is distinguished from a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) or stillbirth.
Other Word Forms
- postabortion adjective
- ˈǰپDzԲ adjective
Word History and Origins
Example Sentences
Across the country, women have been turned away from emergency rooms after suffering ectopic pregnancies, which require an emergency abortion to prevent potentially fatal outcomes.
Funding and delivering services for mid-trimester abortion care is listed as a long-term goal, with a timescale of approximately six to 10 years.
One respondent wrote: "I considered having an abortion as a result of the panic".
There was no mention of his campaign promise to give Polish women legal abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy.
Women would no longer be prosecuted for terminating a pregnancy in England and Wales under a proposed shake-up of abortion laws.
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