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View synonyms for

abortion

[ uh-bawr-shuhn ]

noun

  1. Also called vol·un·tar·y a·bor·tion [vol, -, uh, n-ter-ee , uh, -, bawr, -sh, uh, n]. the removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus in order to end a pregnancy.
  2. any of various surgical methods for terminating a pregnancy, especially during the first six months.
  3. Also called spon·ta·ne·ous a·bor·tion [spon-, tey, -nee-, uh, s , uh, -, bawr, -sh, uh, n]. miscarriage ( def 1 ).
  4. an immature and nonviable fetus.
  5. any malformed or monstrous person, thing, etc.
  6. Biology. the arrested development of an embryo or an organ at a more or less early stage.
  7. the stopping of an illness, infection, etc., at a very early stage.
  8. Informal.
    1. shambles; mess.
    2. anything that fails to develop, progress, or mature, as a design or project.


abortion

/ əˈɔːʃə /

noun

  1. an operation or other procedure to terminate pregnancy before the fetus is viable
  2. the premature termination of pregnancy by spontaneous or induced expulsion of a nonviable fetus from the uterus
  3. the products of abortion; an aborted fetus
  4. the arrest of development of an organ
  5. a failure to develop to completion or maturity

    the project proved an abortion

  6. a person or thing that is deformed
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

abortion

  1. Induced termination of pregnancy, involving destruction of the embryo or fetus.
  2. Any of various procedures that result in such termination.
  3. Spontaneous abortion; miscarriage.
  4. Cessation of a normal or abnormal process before completion.

abortion

1
  1. The 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

2
  1. The 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 .
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Notes

Abortion laws are extremely controversial. Those who describe themselves as “pro-choice” believe that the decision to have an abortion should be left to the mother. In contrast, the “pro-life” faction , arguing that abortion is killing, holds that the state should prohibit abortion in most cases. Feminists ( see feminism ) (see also feminism ) and liberals generally support the pro-choice side; Roman Catholics and Protestant fundamentalists generally back the pro-life side. ( See Roe versus Wade.)
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Derived Forms

  • ˈǰپDzԲ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • Dz··ǰ·پDz adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abortion1

First recorded in 1540–50, abortion is from the Latin word ǰپō- (stem of ǰپō ). See abort, -ion
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Things like gay marriage and abortion” — which Democrats used for years as a bludgeon against Republicans — “are enshrined in our state Constitution and aren’t going anywhere,” Shupe said.

From

Brandt and her twins' circumstances didn't qualify for an exception under Texas' Senate Bill 8 abortion ban, which forced her to flee the state to access care.

From

When Joe Biden, a liberal and a lifelong Catholic, was inaugurated president, the archbishop penned a letter accusing him of planning to “advance moral evils” like gay marriage, abortion rights and employer-funded contraception.

From

Although he followed the church’s conservative doctrines on abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, he shook up the conservative norms of the church when he told clerics not to be “obsessed with” those issues.

From

"We had just voted to legalise abortion earlier that year, and we'd brought in marriage equality a few years before that," Mr Varadkar said.

From

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abortifacientabortionist