Definition of Abortive

1. Adjective. Failing to accomplish an intended result. "A stillborn plot to assassinate the President"

Exact synonyms: Stillborn, Unsuccessful
Similar to: Unfruitful
Derivative terms: Abort

Definition of Abortive

1. a. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child.

2. n. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.

Definition of Abortive

1. Adjective. (obsolete) Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as an '''abortive''' child. ¹

2. Adjective. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an '''abortive''' attempt. ¹

3. Adjective. (biology) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an '''abortive''' organ, stamen, ovule, etc. ¹

4. Adjective. (medicine) Causing abortion; as, '''abortive''' medicines. ¹

5. Adjective. (medicine) Cutting short; as, ''abortive'' treatment of typhoid fever. ¹

6. Noun. (obsolete) That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. ¹

7. Noun. (obsolete) A fruitless effort or issue. ¹

8. Noun. (obsolete) A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion, abortifacient. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Abortive

1. failing to succeed [adj]

Medical Definition of Abortive

1. 1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child. 2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum. 3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. "Plunged in that abortive gulf." 4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt. "An abortive enterprise." 5. Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc. 6. Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever. Origin: L. Abortivus, fr. Aboriri. See Abort. 1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. 2. A fruitless effort or issue. 3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Abortive

abortigenic
abortin
aborting
abortins
abortion
abortion-inducing drug
abortion applicants
abortion pill
abortion pills
abortion rate
abortional
abortionism
abortionist
abortionists
abortions
abortive (current term)
abortive neurofibromatosis
abortive transduction
abortively
abortiveness
abortivenesses
abortives
abortment
abortments
abortogenic
abortogenics
abortorium
aborts
abortuaries
abortuary

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