1.abortion的基本意思是指由于任何原因而在怀孕的前12周内的流产,现一般指为了避免生下婴儿或者为了治疗性地保住母亲的生命而用人工方法终止早期妊娠,即“人工流产,堕胎,打胎”。指抽象的行为时不可数,指具体的手术时则是可数名词。
2.abortion引申可表示计划、工程等因出问题而“中途失败”或“夭折,中止”,是可数名词。

The abortion arose from an accidental fall.流产是由于(孕妇)不慎摔倒所致。
Abortion is illegal in many countries.在许多国家,堕胎都是违法的。
Abortion is restricted in some American states. 在美国的一些州堕胎是受限制的。
Abortions are offered to women who need them.堕胎是提供给需此手术的妇女的。
Such activity will produce abortion.这种活动将导致流产。
She decided to have an abortion. 她决定做人工流产。
She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
The doctor performed an abortion on her.医生给她做了人流。
His attempt proved an abortion.他的企图终告失败。
He did a very poor job; he made an abortion of it.他把事情办得很差劲,全让他给搞砸了。
That show was a total abortion.那场表演搞得一塌糊涂。
This isn't a drama! It's an abortion! 这哪里是戏剧,简直是蹩脚的鹦鹉学舌!
She was weakened by an abortion.她因流产而变得虚弱。
They carried through a campaign for abortion on demand.他们开展了一个争取能一经要求便可进行人工流产的运动。
There has been much dispute over the question of legalized abortion in the Western world.堕胎合法化的问题在西方世界颇具争议。

abortion, miscarriage
这两个词都有“非正常地将胎儿从子宫排出”的意思。其区别是:
1.abortion可指自然流产,也可指人工引产,多指人工引产; 而miscarriage只指自然流产。
2.abortion一般发生或施行于怀孕的前12周内; 而miscarriage一般发生于怀孕的第12周至28周之间,常译为“小产”。例如:
My grandmother had five children and many miscarriages.我的祖母生了5个孩子,还多次小产。

［派生词］ abortionism n. 有权流产主义,对流产权的支持‖abortionist n. (尤指非法)替人堕胎者,流产权的支持者‖abortive adj. 不成功的; 失败的
［词源］＜拉丁语abortio(早产)