abortion

abor·tion

noun \ə-ˈbȯr-shən\

Definition of ABORTION

1

: the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus: as

a : spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation — compare miscarriage

b : induced expulsion of a human fetus

c : expulsion of a fetus by a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy — compare contagious abortion

2

: monstrosity

3

: arrest of development (as of a part or process) resulting in imperfection; also : a result of such arrest

Examples of ABORTION

1. a doctor who performs abortions
2. She chose to have an abortion.

First Known Use of ABORTION

1547

Related to ABORTION

Synonyms

abandonment, cancellation, calling, calling off, dropping, recall, recision, repeal, rescission, revocation

Antonyms

continuation

Related Words

annulment, invalidation, neutralization, nullification, voidance; abolishment, abolition, ending, halting, stopping, termination; giving up, relinquishment, surrender; reversal, rollback

Near Antonyms

beginning, commencement, initiation; engagement, undertaking

Other Embryology Terms

gravid, neonate, ontogeny, parturition

Rhymes with ABORTION

apportion, contortion, distortion, extortion, proportion

abor·tion

noun \ə-ˈbȯr-shən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ABORTION

1

: the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus: a : spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation—compare miscarriage b : induced expulsion of a human fetus c : expulsion of a fetus of a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy—see contagious abortion, trichomoniasis b, vibrionic abortion

2

: arrest of development of an organ so that it remains imperfect or is absorbed

3

: the arrest of a disease in its earliest stage <abortion of a cold>

abortion

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Expulsion of a fetus from the uterus before it can survive on its own. Spontaneous abortion at earlier stages of pregnancy is called miscarriage. Induced abortions often occur through intentional medical intervention and are performed to preserve the woman’s life or health, to prevent the completion of a pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, to prevent the birth of a child with serious medical problems, or because the woman does not believe she is in a position to rear a child properly. The drug RU-486, if taken within a few weeks of conception, will trigger a miscarriage. Up to about 19 weeks of pregnancy, injections of saline solutions or hormones may be used to stimulate uterine contractions that will expel the fetus. Surgical removal of the contents of the uterus may be performed in the second trimester or later. Intact dilation and extraction procedures may occur in the third trimester; sometimes critically referred to as “partial-birth abortions,” they have been very controversial. Other abortion procedures include manual vacuum aspiration (extraction by manual syringe) and dilation and suction curettage (extraction by machine-operated suction), both of which can be performed in early pregnancy. The social acceptability of abortion as a means of population control has varied from time to time and place to place throughout history. It was apparently a common method of family limitation in the Greco-Roman world, but Christian theologians early and vehemently condemned it. It became widely accepted in Europe in the Middle Ages. Severe criminal sanctions to deter abortion became common in the 19th century, but in the 20th century those sanctions were gradually modified in many countries. In the U.S. the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision had the effect of legalizing abortion during the first three months of pregnancy; states were able to implement restrictions on access to abortion after the first trimester, though within constraints set by the courts. Since that decision, there has been a fierce debate between supporters and opponents of a liberalized abortion policy.