Definition of "abortionist"

Mad. Restell, the celebrated Abortionist [is arrested].

1844 March 26, New-York Daily Tribune

The quack abortionist, with “a little knowledge,” impudently, remorselessly, and secretly employs his craft for filthy lucre’s sake, perpetrating one crime to conceal another, at which science and charity blush.

1848 October 7, “Morals and Murder – the Case of Eliza Wilson”, in The Medical Times‎, volume 18, number 471, London, page 373

Such a fetus is perfectly viable save for the act of the abortionist.

1998, J. David Bleich, Bioethical Dilemmas: A Jewish Perspective, volume 1, Hoboken, New Jersey: KTAV Publishing House, page 277

According to Bray, “there is a difference between taking a retired abortionist and executing him, and killing a practicing abortionist who is regularly killing babies.” The first act is in Bray’s view retributive, the second defensive.

2003, Mark Juergensmeyer, Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence, 3rd edition, Berkeley, California: University of California Press, page 24

In 1962, when abortion was still illegal, I published an anonymous interview with Dr. Robert Spencer, a humane abortionist who was known as “The Saint.”

2005, Paul Krassner, One Hand Jerking: Reports from an Investigative Satirist, page 24

[…] a gruesome procedure in which the abortionist dismembers a child who could survive outside the womb.

2009, Dinesh D’Souza, Letters to a Young Conservative, page 191

Then she asks her to go first to meet the abortionist. Then she neglects to make a reservation at the hotel the abortionist specifies. That almost sinks the arrangement: The abortionist has experience suggesting that hotel will be a safe venue, and suspects he may be set up for a police trap.

2009–2010, Roger Ebert, Roger Ebert’s Movie Yearbook 2010, review of 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, page 146