I. əˈbȯ(ə)rt, -ȯ(ə)t, usu -d.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin abortare, from abortus abortion
intransitive verb
1. : to bring forth premature or stillborn offspring
cows with brucellosis often abort
2. : to become checked in development so as to remain rudimentary or to shrink away
pollen grains that abort
3. : to stop or fail in the early stages
many colds abort without treatment
the plans have aborted
the bomber aborted from its mission
transitive verb
1. : to bring forth (offspring) prematurely
aborted a 3-month-old fetus
: cause to be delivered of a stillborn or nonviable fetus
abort a malformed patient
especially : to terminate pregnancy of before term
2.
a. : to terminate prematurely
abort a project
: stop in the early stages
abort a disease
b. : to turn back without completion
3. : to check so as to produce rudimentary development or a shrinking away
abort branches of trees
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin abortus, from abortus, past participle of aboriri to disappear, miscarry, from ab- ab- (I) + oriri to rise, be born — more at orient
1. obsolete : abortion
2. : an abortive flight by an aircraft on a combat or bombing mission ; also : an aircraft making such a flight
III. noun
: the premature termination of an action, procedure, or mission relating to a rocket or spacecraft
a launch abort