Glossary
|
Term |
Meaning |
Question
|
|
Abortifacient |
That which causes a very early abortion by preventing the implantation of the embryo in the womb |
|
|
Abortion (induced) |
The killing of the unborn baby through surgical or drug-induced procedures |
|
|
Adolescence |
A phase of life in which a person develops from being a child into being an adult |
|
|
AIDS |
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome |
|
|
Blastocyst |
A term used to denote a certain stage of growth of a human being |
|
|
Cervical cap |
A barrier contraceptive |
|
|
Chastity |
Sexual self-control, in thought, word and deed |
|
|
Chlamydia |
A bacterial STD |
|
|
Conception |
The union of the sperm with the egg |
|
|
Condom |
A barrier contraceptive |
|
|
Contraceptive |
That which prevents conception by preventing the sperm and the ovum from meeting. |
|
|
Contraceptive sponge |
A barrier contraceptive |
|
|
D&C |
Dilatation & Curettage, a method of killing a baby |
|
|
D&E |
Dilation and Evacuation, a method of killing a baby |
|
|
D&X |
Dilation and Extraction, a method of killing a baby. Also known as partial birth abortion. |
|
|
Dating |
Going out with another person or group of persons for a social activity |
|
|
Depo-provera |
A method of preventing a woman from getting pregnant that involves regular injections of a hormone |
|
|
Diaphragm |
A barrier contraceptive |
|
|
Embryo
|
A term used to denote a certain stage of growth of a human being. Often used to mean the human being from the first cell division until 35-40 days after fertilization, it could, depending on the number of stages used, therefore include the ‘zygote’ and ‘blastocyst’ stages. |
|
|
Endometrium |
The lining of the womb |
|
|
Euthanasia |
The deliberate killing of a person deemed to have a poor quality of life, either by action or by omission (for instance, by not feeding him). |
|
|
Exploitation |
Using another person to get what you want |
|
|
Failure rate |
In percentage terms, 100% minus the effectiveness rate (see method or user effectiveness rates) |
|
|
Family planning methods |
Methods that allow a married couple to plan the number and spacing of their children |
|
|
Fertilization |
The union of the sperm with the egg |
|
|
Fimbria |
Finger-like structure at the end of the fallopian tube which catches the ovum |
|
|
Foetus |
A term used to denote a certain stage of growth of a human being |
|
|
Freedom |
The ability to choose to do what is right |
|
|
Genital herpes |
A viral STD |
|
|
Gonorrhoea |
A bacterial STD |
|
|
Hero worship |
An attraction to another person who is respected and admired |
|
|
HIV |
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the viral STD that causes AIDS |
|
|
Homosexual activity |
Someone who engages in sexual activity with a person of the same sex |
|
|
Homosexual orientation |
Someone who feels very attracted to persons of the same sex and little attraction to the opposite sex |
|
|
HPV |
Human Papilloma Virus, a viral STD |
|
|
Implantation |
The process whereby the human being attaches himself to womb in order to continue his growth and development |
|
|
Infatuation |
Having strong feelings of attraction to another person |
|
|
Intra-uterine devices |
Plastic devices placed in the womb that irritate the endometrium and prevent the implantation of the embryo |
|
|
Love |
The gift of yourself to another person for his (or her) good, in ways that are appropriate to the relationship |
|
|
Marriage |
The total gift of a man and a woman to each other in a life-long union, in order to found a family for mutual support and for the procreation and upbringing of children |
|
|
Masturbation |
The misuse of one’s own genitals in order to derive sexual pleasure |
|
|
Maturity |
Possessing well-developed adult qualities |
|
|
Menstrual regulation |
A procedure similar to a suction abortion, except that pregnancy has not yet been confirmed |
|
|
Method effectiveness rate |
The rate at which a birth control method prevents or ends pregnancy if used perfectly (that is, with absolutely no user error) |
|
|
Natural family planning (NFP) |
Methods that respect the natural processes and functions of the body and which give a couple the choice of achieving or avoiding pregnancy by determining when the woman is fertile |
|
|
Norplant |
A method of preventing a woman from getting pregnant that involves surgically implanting six small tubes under the skin |
|
|
Oral contraceptives |
A method of preventing a woman from getting pregnant that involves the taking of pills orally |
|
|
Ovulation Method |
A natural family planning method that determines when the woman is fertile by looking at changes in her cervical mucus |
|
|
Pornography |
Sexually explicit material designed to arouse |
|
|
Predator |
A person who tries to gain something out of someone else’s weakness or suffering. |
|
|
Pre-embryo |
A term coined by anti-life groups in the mid-1980s to denote the human being after fertilization before implantation |
|
|
Prostaglandin abortion |
A method of killing a baby |
|
|
Protector |
A person who acts in a way that prevents another person from being harmed or exploited. |
|
|
Rhythm method |
An outdated method of family planning that predicts fertility based on past cycles. |
|
|
RU486 |
A drug that is taken after the mother misses her period to prevent the baby from growing and developing normally |
|
|
Self-respect |
Having confidence in your own ability and worth |
|
|
Sexuality |
All the characteristics (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) associated with being male or female. |
|
|
Spermicide |
A chemical that kills sperm |
|
|
STD |
Diseases transmitted through sexual contact |
|
|
Sterilization |
That which renders the body incapable of reproduction |
|
|
Suction abortion |
A method of killing a baby in his first trimester |
|
|
Sympto-Thermal Method |
A natural family planning method that determines when the woman is fertile by observations of her cervical mucus and the basal body temperature.
|
|
|
Syphilis |
A bacterial STD |
|
|
Temperature Method |
A natural family planning method that determines when the woman is fertile by looking at changes in her basal body temperature |
|
|
Tubal ligation |
A surgical operation to sterilize women |
|
|
User effectiveness rate |
The rate at which a birth control method prevents or ends pregnancy taking into account user error |
|
|
Vasectomy |
A surgical operation to sterilize men |
|
|
Zygote |
The new one-celled human being, after the ovum has been fertilized by the sperm cell |
