ABORTIVE

a. n.

10 definitions — Webster’s Dictionary (1828)

1.
a.

Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child. [R.]

2.
a.

Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum. [Obs.]

3.
a.

Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. [Obs.] "Plunged in that abortive gulf." Milton.

4.
a.

Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt. "An abortive enterprise." Prescott.

5.
a.

Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.

6.
a.

Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. Parr.

7.
a.

Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.

8.
n.

That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. [Obs.] Shak.

9.
n.

A fruitless effort or issue. [Obs.]

10.
n.

A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion. Dunglison.

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