Meaning

• The expulsion from the womb of a foetus or embryo before it is fully developed, with loss of the foetus; either naturally as a spontaneous abortion (now usually called a miscarriage), or deliberately as an induced abortion.

• An aborted foetus; an abortus.

• A misshapen person or thing; a monstrosity.

• Failure or abandonment of a project, promise, goal etc.

• Arrest of development of any organ, so that it remains an imperfect formation or is absorbed.

• The cessation of an illness or disease at a very early stage.