abortifacient

noun

abor·​ti·​fa·​cient ə-ˌbȯr-tə-ˈfā-shənt 

: an agent (such as a drug) that induces abortion

abortifacient adjective

Examples of abortifacient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Packer told the Idaho Capital Sun last year that the group wants to clarify that contraceptives and abortifacients are not the same. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 June 2024

Hidden in a suitcase are boxes of mifepristone and misoprostol, two abortifacients used in conjunction with one another. —Carmen Valeria Escobar, WIRED, 3 Apr. 2024

Indeed, 19 states have already prohibited telemedicine visits for abortifacients. —Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024

Banks don’t operate on fishing vessels or dispense abortifacients. —Alan S. Blinder, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin abortifacient-, abortifaciens, from Latin abortus "miscarriage, abortion" (from aborīrī "to pass away, (of a fetus) miscarry, be aborted" + -tus, suffix of verbal action) + -i- -i- + -facient-, -faciens -facient — more at abort entry 1

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

abortifacient

1 of 2 adjective

abor·​ti·​fa·​cient ə-ˌbȯrt-ə-ˈfā-shənt 

: inducing abortion

abortifacient

2 of 2 noun

: an agent (as a drug) that induces abortion