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Entry 9 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Abortive

/əb-ôr'-tĭv/ · A·bor·tive · IPA /əˈbɔɹ.tɪv/
01 a. Produced by abortion.as, an abortive child.
  1. 1.
    Produced by abortion.as, an abortive child.[R.]
  2. 2.
    Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum.[Obs.]
  3. 3.
    Rendering fruitless or ineffectual.[Obs.]
  4. 4.
    Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt.
  5. 5.
    Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.(Biol.)
  6. 6.
    Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines.(Med.)
02 n. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.
  1. 1.
    That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.[Obs.]
  2. 2.
    A fruitless effort or issue.[Obs.]
  3. 3.
    A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion; -- also called an abortifacient.(Med.) Also: abortifacient