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noun
1.
miscarriage (def 1).
noun
1.
Also called voluntary abortion. 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 spontaneous abortion. miscarriage (def 1).
4.
an immature and nonviable fetus.
5.
abortus (def 2).
6.
any malformed or monstrous person, thing, etc.
7.
Biology. the arrested development of an embryo or an organ at a more or less early stage.
8.
the stopping of an illness, infection, etc., at a very early stage.
9.
Informal.

shambles; mess.
anything that fails to develop, progress, or mature, as a design or project.

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

spontaneous abortion spon·ta·ne·ous abortion (spŏn-tā’nē-əs)
n.
Abortion occurring naturally; miscarriage.

abortion a·bor·tion (ə-bôr’shən)
n.

The expulsion of an embryo or fetus before it is viable.

A miscarriage.

An aborted organism.

Cessation of normal growth, especially of an organ or other body part, before full development or maturation.

The arrest of an action or process before its completion.

abortion
(ə-bôr’shən)

Induced termination of pregnancy, involving destruction of the embryo or fetus.

Any of various procedures that result in such termination.

Spontaneous abortion; miscarriage.

Cessation of a normal or abnormal process before completion.

spontaneous abortion
(spŏn-tā’nē-əs)
See miscarriage.

abortion definition

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.

Note: 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) and liberals generally support the pro-choice side; Roman Catholics and Protestant fundamentalists generally back the pro-life side. (See Roe versus Wade.)

abortion definition

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.)

spontaneous abortion definition

A miscarriage or stillbirth. (See abortion.)
abortion