‖abruptio placentae,n.Gynaecol.|æˈbrʌptɪəʊ pləˈsɛntiː,æˈbrʌpʃɪəʊ pləˈsɛntiː|[mod.L.: see abruptionn., placentan.]The premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall during pregnancy, which can cause a haemorrhage.1913J. B. De LeePrinc.&Pract.Obstetr.xxxiv. 445Rigby, in 1775,..most clearly distinguished between placenta prævia and abruptio placentæ... Rigby gave the name unavoidable hemorrhage to the former, and that of accidental hemorrhage to the latter, condition.1977Lancet 19 Nov. 1088/1The second patient, aged 18, was admitted unbooked at 30 weeks of ‘pregnancy’ with a suspected abruptio placentæ.1987Brit.Med.Jrnl.10 Oct. 896/2The incidence of deaths from antepartum haemorrhage (all due to abruptio placentae) was 2.9/1000 births.