DEF: to cause something to stop or fail before it begins or before it is complete.
EX: Spacecrafts that carry humans have a flight abort system that aborts the launch by lifting the space capsule to safety in case the rocket fails.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
abort (verb)intransitive verb
1.
to bring forth stillborn, nonviable, or premature offspring
2.
to become checked in development so as to degenerate or remain rudimentary
3.
transitive verb
to terminate a procedure prematurely - the pilot decided to abort due to mechanical difficulties
1.
a) to induce the of or give birth to prematurely - abortion
b) to terminate the pregnancy of before term
2.
a) to terminate prematurely - cancel abort a project abort a spaceflight
b) to stop in the early stages - abort a disease
the premature termination of a flight (as of an aircraft or spacecraft), a mission, or an action or procedure relating to a flight - a launch abort
