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MWabortifacient

abortifacient

Flag: gbEnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionary

abor​ti​fa​cient
noun
abor·​ti·​fa·​cient
ə-ˌbȯr-tə-ˈfā-shənt

Definition

  • an agent (such as a drug) that induces abortion
Other Words
  • abortifacient adjective
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
borrowed from New Latin abortifacient-, abortifaciens, from Latin abortus "miscarriage, abortion" (from aborīrī "to pass away, (of a fetus) miscarry, be aborted" + -tus, suffix of verbal action) + -i- -i- + -facient-, -faciens -facient — more at abort entry 1

abor​ti​fa​cient
noun
abor·​ti·​fa·​cient
ə-ˌbȯr-tə-ˈfā-shənt

Definition

  • an agent (such as a drug) that induces abortion
Other Words
  • abortifacient adjective
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
borrowed from New Latin abortifacient-, abortifaciens, from Latin abortus "miscarriage, abortion" (from aborīrī "to pass away, (of a fetus) miscarry, be aborted" + -tus, suffix of verbal action) + -i- -i- + -facient-, -faciens -facient — more at abort entry 1
abortifacient — MW · Shobdo