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Definition abortive

Etymology

First attested in 1382, with the meaning "causing stillbirth or miscarriage". From Middle English, from Old French abortif, from Latin abort?vus (�causing abortion�), from aborior (�miscarry, disappear�), from ab (�amiss�) + or?or (�appear, be born, arise�).

Adjective

abortive (comparative more abortive, superlative most abortive)

1. (obsolete) Produced by abortion; born prematurely and therefore unnatural. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid 18 century.]
2. Coming to nothing; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful. [First attested in the late 16 century.]
3. (biology) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile. [First attested in the mid 18 century.]
4. (pharmacology, medicine, rare, attributive) Causing abortion; abortifacient
5. (medicine) Cutting short; acting to halt or slow the progress (of a disease).
6. Made from the skin of a still-born animal.

Noun

abortive (plural abortives)

1. (obsolete) That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. [Attested from around (1150 to 1350) until the mid 18 century.]
2. (obsolete) A fruitless effort or issue. [Attested from the early 17 century until the early 18 century.]
3. (obsolete) A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion, abortifacient.

Verb

abortive (third-person singular simple present abortives, present participle abortiving, simple past and past participle abortived)

1. (transitive, obsolete) To cause an abortion; to render without fruit. [Attested only in the 17 century.]

Results 245 Words with the letters ABORTIVE

You can also try words with the phrase ABORTIVE, words starting with the letters ABORTIVE, or words ending in the letters ABORTIVE.

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