Abortion

In criminallaw. The miscarriage or premature delivery of a woman who is quick with child. When this is brought abont with a malicious design, or for an unlawful purpose, it is a crime in law. The act of bringing forth what is yet imperfect; and particularly the delivery or expulsion of the human fw@fus prematurely, or before it is yet capable of sustaining life, Also the thing prematurely brought forth, or product of an unlimely process, Sometimes loosely used for the offense of procuring a premature delivery; but, strictly, the early delivering is the abortion; causing or procuring abortion is the full name of the offense.

Abbott.