a-, ab-, abs-

(Latin: prefix; from, away, away from)




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aborticidal (adjective) (not comparable)
A reference to the killing of a fetus: The aborticidal operation was performed because the mother could not survive the pregnancy any more.

Tom, the veterinarian, agreed with the farmer that an aborticidal operation on the sow would be the only way to save her life.

aborticide (s) (noun), aborticides (pl)
abortifacient (s) (noun), abortifacients (pl)

Several experimental abortifacients have been tested by certain laboratories.

abortion (s) (noun), abortions (pl)

The attempt to redesign the airplane was an abortion or failure.

abortional (adjective), more abortional, most abortional
Referring to or pertaining to the cessation, or discontinuation, of a pregnancy or a fetal development; miscarrying: Dr. Smith was correct to use abortional terminology when discussing the mother's condition.

John, the veterinarian, ordered some new abortional medication to be used in his animal clinic.

abortionism (s) (noun), abortionisms (pl)
The support or recommendation of the termination of a pregnancy: Tonya's sister, who is a doctor, supports abortionism once the client has had a medical examination and counseling.
abortionist (s) (noun), abortionists (pl)
abortive (adjective), more abortive, most abortive
abortively (adverb), more abortively, most abortively


abortiveness (s) (noun) (usually no plural)
1. That which has failed to accomplish an intended result: The abortiveness of solving the financial crisis has resulted in a worse economic situation.
2. Something which is partially or imperfectly developed: There was an abortiveness about the jokes that were being told at the Stand-Up Comedy club.

When Vincent retired, he acknowledged that the single abortiveness of his career was the result of his being unable to prevent the foreclosures on mortgages.

abortorium (s) (noun); abortoria (pl)
A clinic (clinics) or a hospital (hospitals) where premature stoppages of natural or pathological processes are performed: The veterinarian college established an abortorium for the students to use for their studies.

There were several abortoria in the rural area of the province.

1. Something that has been scraped or rubbed off; such as, skin: The nurse put medication on the abrasion of the child's knee.


2. A wearing away by rubbing or scraping, as of rock by wind, water, etc.: Years of abrasions had worn the surface of the stones so they are now smooth.


abrasive (s) (noun), abrasives (pl)
1. A scraping or grinding material: Natalie was told that sandpaper, or some other abrasive, would be needed to remove the old paint.
2. A substance used for rubbing or polishing: The cabinetmaker recommended an abrasive that used only natural materials for use on the wooden furniture.

When Glenda went to the store, she noticed that there were at least three kinds of abrasives from which to choose for her home improvement project.