[abor.tion] n (1547) 1: the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus: as 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 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