Main Entry:

¹abort

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈbȯrt\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Latin abortus, past participle of aboriri to miscarry, from ab- + oriri to rise, be born — more at orient

Date:

1580

intransitive verb1: to bring forth stillborn, nonviable, or premature offspring2: to become checked in development so as to degenerate or remain rudimentary3: to terminate a procedure prematurely <the pilot decided to abort due to mechanical difficulties>transitive verb1 a: to induce the abortion of or give birth to prematurely b: to terminate the pregnancy of before term2 a: to terminate prematurely : cancel <abort a project> <abort a spaceflight> b: to stop in the early stages <abort a disease>

— abort·er noun