abortion /əbor″shən/ [L, ab + oriri] , the spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy before the fetus has developed to the stage of viability, before 20 weeks of gestation or when fetus weighs less than 500 grams. Kinds include habitual abortion, infected abortion, septic abortion, voluntary abortion. See also complete abortion, elective abortion, incomplete abortion, induced abortion, medical abortion, missed abortion, spontaneous abortion, therapeutic abortion.
