| Title | Abortion |
|---|---|
| Text | Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary abor·tion \\ə-ˈbȯr-shən\\ noun DATE 1547
1. the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus: asa. 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 by a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy — compare contagious abortion 2. monstrosity 3. arrest of development (as of a part or process) resulting in imperfection; also : a result of such arrest English Etymology abortion 1540s, from L. abortionem (nom. abortio) "miscarriage, abortion," from abortus, pp. of aboriri (see abortive). Originally of both deliberate and unintended miscarriages; in 19c. some effort was made to distinguish abortion "expulsion of the fetus between 6 weeks and 6 months" from miscarriage (the same within 6 weeks of conception) and premature labor (delivery after 6 months but before due time). This broke down as abortion came to be used principally for intentional miscarriages. Foeticide (v.) appears 1844 as a medical term for deliberate premature explusion of the fetus. Abortion was a taboo word for much of early 20c., disguised in print as criminal operation (U.S.) or illegal operation (U.K.), and replaced by miscarriage in film versions of novels. Abortionist is recorded by 1872. Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English abortion ADJ. back-street, illegal | legal | induced, spontaneous, therapeutic VERB + ABORTION have When she got pregnant at 16 she decided to have an abortion. | carry out, do (informal), perform Some nurses wanted the right to refuse to perform abortions. ABORTION + NOUN law, legislation the country's strict abortion laws | clinic, counselling PREP. ~ on He carried out an abortion on a fifteen-year-old girl. PHRASES abortion on demand (= the right to have an abortion if you want one) Women's groups are calling for free contraception and abortion on demand. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 abortion abor·tion / E5bC:Fn; NAmE E5bC:rFn / noun1. [U] the deliberate ending of a pregnancy at an early stage人工流产；堕胎；打胎: to support / oppose abortion 支持/反对堕胎 a woman's right to abortion 妇女做人工流产的权利 abortion laws 堕胎法 I've always been anti-abortion. 我一直反对堕胎。 2. [C] a medical operation to end a pregnancy at an early stage人工流产手术；堕胎手术: She decided to have an abortion. 她决定做人工流产。 SYN termination ⇨ compare miscarriage
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged abor·tion \əˈbȯrshən, -ȯ(ə)sh-\ noun (-s) Etymology: Latin abortion-, abortio, from abortus (past participle) + -ion-, -io -ion 1. : the expulsion of a nonviable 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 often due to infection of a fetus by a domestic animal at any time before completion of pregnancy — see contagious abortion , vibrionic abortion ; trichomoniasis 2. : a misshapen thing or person : monstrosity 3. : something that fails to attain full development or that ceases to progress before it is matured or perfect < his attempt proved an abortion > 4. a. : arrest of development of an organ so that it remains imperfect or is absorbed b. : the result of such arrest of development (as a fruit that fails to reach maturity or a potential leaf reduced to a scale) 5. : the arrest of a disease in its earliest stage < abortion of a cold > |
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