abortion

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The expulsion from the womb of a foetus or embryo before it is fully developed, with loss of the foetus.

   Swines-bread, so used, doth not onely speed / A tardy labour; but (without great heed) / If over it a Child-great Woman stride, / Instant abortion often doth betide.

2. 2
   noun

   An aborted foetus; an abortus.

   ‘It seems too hairy for an abortion, and too small for a mature birth.’

3. 3
   noun

   A misshapen person or thing; a monstrosity.

   Insomuch that I do honestly believe, there can be no place in the world, where such intolerable abortions, begotten of the sculptor’s chisel, are to be found in such profusion, as in Rome.

4. 4
   noun

   Failure or abandonment of a project, promise, goal etc.

   The returning good sense of our country threatens abortion to their hopes, & they believe that any portion of power confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes.

5. 5
   noun

   termination of pregnancy

6. 6
   noun

   failure of a plan

7. 7
   noun

   Arrest of development of any organ, so that it remains an imperfect formation or is absorbed.

8. 8
   noun

   The cessation of an illness or disease at a very early stage.

Etymology

From Latin abortiōnem (“miscarriage, abortion”), from aborior (“to miscarry”). Equivalent to abort + -ion. Displaced native Old English ǣwyrp (literally “throwing out, rejection”).