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View synonyms for abortion

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

/ əˈbɔːʃən /

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

/ ə-bôrshən /

  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

  • aˈbortional, adjective
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Other Words From

  • post·a·bor·tion adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abortion1

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

Last year, nine states passed bills restricting abortion rights.

Lynch has long had a reputation for being a moderate, especially because of his more conservative stance on abortion rights.

The second night starred an anti-abortion activist whose tale about the horrors of Planned Parenthood had been exposed as a fraud more than 10 years ago.

From Vox

Clarkson has been seen as a crusader for conservative positions on same-sex marraige and abortion.

Before being appointed in late 2018, Clarkson had been a champion of Christian conservative views on social issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion.

Most often, the doctrine is invoked by minors seeking an abortion without parental consent.

The language of this bill is a de facto abortion ban for most pregnant federal prisoners.

In other words, unnecessarily stringent abortion regulation could be far more dangerous than abortion itself.

Anti-abortion organizations tend to tend to propagate the idea that the procedure is dangerous and unproven.

Planned Parenthood, on the other hand, describes abortion as “very safe.”

It seems to mean—'who very often seek after destroyed increase (abortion) and the play of love.'

They did not know enough to prevent conception, but they did the best they could by means of abortion and infanticide.

Endemics of abortion depend on the impalpable vapors that arise from the quicksilver mines of Spain.

Some think that a load-stone laid upon the navel, keeps a woman from abortion.

And so on until our whole system of abortion, intimidation, tyranny, cruelty and the rest is in full swing again.

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