Abortion
/əˈbɔːrʃən/noun
The termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus.
Did you know?The term 'abortion' has been linked to ancient practices where herbalists and midwives used potions to induce miscarriage, often seen as both a medical necessity and a taboo ritual.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ab-
“away, from”
Latin
Latin
abortio
“miscarriage, a bringing forth prematurely”
Latin
Latin
abortivus
“causing abortion, fruitless”
Middle English
Middle English
abortioun
“premature birth, miscarriage”
Modern English
English
abortion
“termination of pregnancy, often used in legal and medical contexts”