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abortion

Syllabification: (a·bor·tion)
Pronunciation: /əˈbôrSHən/
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Definition of abortion

noun

  • 1the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.
  • the expulsion of a fetus from the uterus by natural causes before it is able to survive independently.
  • Biology the arrest of the development of an organ, typically a seed or fruit.
  • 2an object or undertaking regarded by the speaker as unpleasant or badly made or carried out.

Origin:

mid 16th century: from Latin abortio(n-), from aboriri 'miscarry' (see abort)

abortion in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of abortion in the British & World English dictionary