Aborticide
(A*bor"ti*cide) n. [L. abortus + caedere to kill. See Abort.] (Med.) The act of destroying
a fetus in the womb; feticide.
Abortifacient
(A*bor`ti*fa"cient) a. [L. abortus (see Abort, v.) + faciens, p. pr. of facere to make.]
Producing miscarriage. — n. A drug or an agent that causes premature delivery.
Abortion
(A*bor"tion) n. [L. abortio, fr. aboriri. See Abort.]
1. The act of giving premature birth; particularly, the expulsion of the human fetus prematurely, or before
it is capable of sustaining life; miscarriage.
It is sometimes used for the offense of procuring a premature delivery, but strictly the early delivery is
the abortion, "causing or procuring abortion" is the full name of the offense. Abbott.
2. The immature product of an untimely birth.
3. (Biol.) Arrest of development of any organ, so that it remains an imperfect formation or is absorbed.
4. Any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or anything which in its progress, before it is
matured or perfect; a complete failure; as, his attempt proved an abortion.
Abortional
(A*bor"tion*al) a. Pertaining to abortion; miscarrying; abortive. Carlyle.
Abortionist
(A*bor"tion*ist), n. One who procures abortion or miscarriage.
Abortive
(A*bor"tive) a. [L. abortivus, fr. aboriri. See Abort, v.]
1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child. [R.]
2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum. [Obs.]
3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. [Obs.] "Plunged in that abortive gulf." Milton.
4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt. "An
abortive enterprise." Prescott.
5. (Biol.) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule,
etc.
6. (Med.) (a) Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. Parr. (b) Cutting short; as, abortive treatment
of typhoid fever.
Abortive
(A*bor"tive), n.
1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. [Obs.] Shak.
2. A fruitless effort or issue. [Obs.]
3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion. Dunglison.
Abortively
(A*bor"tive*ly), adv. In an abortive or untimely manner; immaturely; fruitlessly.
Abortiveness
(A*bor"tive*ness), n. The quality of being abortive.
Abortment
(A*bort"ment) n. Abortion. [Obs.]
Abought
(A*bought") imp. & p. p. of Aby. [Obs.]
