a·bort 
(ə-bôrt)
(ə-bôrt)v. a·bort·ed, a·bort·ing, a·borts
v.tr.
1.
a. To terminate (a pregnancy) by abortion.
b. To cause the expulsion of (an embryo or fetus) by abortion.
c. To undergo the abortion of (an embryo or fetus).
d. To miscarry (an embryo or fetus).
2. To terminate (an undertaking or procedure) before implementation or completion: abort the launch of a rocket; abort a computer program.
3. To stop the progress of (a disease, for example).
v.intr.
1. To miscarry.
2. To cease growth before full development or maturation.
3. To terminate an undertaking or procedure before implementation or completion.
n.
The act of aborting an undertaking or procedure.
[Latin abortāre, frequentative of aborīrī, abort-, to disappear, miscarry : ab-, away; see AB-1 + orīrī, to appear; see er-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]