abor·tion
n 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 TRICHOMONIASISb 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 < of a cold> .
Similar sounding terms: ab·er·ra·tion abra·sion
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