abortifacient

noun

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

: an agent (such as a drug) that induces abortion

abortifacient adjective

Examples of abortifacient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some religious and policy leaders also wrongfully assert that IUDs are abortifacients, which has led to resistance to clinics offering them. —Yasmine Salam, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024

And what are these contraceptives that are considered abortifacients to certain lawmakers? —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Oct. 2024

Some went to root doctors who prescribed herbal abortifacients, an unreliable solution since the elixirs could be toxic to women, frequently fatally so. —Kali Nicole Gross / Made By History, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024

Packer told the Idaho Capital Sun last year that the group wants to clarify that contraceptives and abortifacients are not the same. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 June 2024

Word History

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

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

abortifacient

1 of 2 adjective

abor·​ti·​fa·​cient ə-ˌbȯrt-ə-ˈfā-shənt 

: inducing abortion

abortifacient

2 of 2 noun

: an agent (as a drug) that induces abortion