abortus, ūs, m. (abortum, i, n., Dig. 29, 2, 30; cf. Paul. ex Fest. p. 29 Mull.) [aborior], an abortion, miscarriage. Lit.: dicam abortum esse, Ter. Hec. 3, 3, 38: Tertullae nollem abortum, had not miscarried, Cic. Att. 14, 20, 2: abortum facere, to suffer abortion, miscarry, Plin. Ep. 8, 10, 1; but also, to produce or cause abortion, Plin. 14, 18, 22, § 118; 21, 18, 69, § 116 al.

— Meton., of plants, Plin. 12, 2, 6, § 13.

—* Trop., of writings, an unfinished piece, Plin. praef. § 28.