abortive

  1. Adjective.  (rare) Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as an '''abortive''' child.
  2. Adjective.  (obsolete) Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as an '''abortive''' vellum.
  3. Adjective.  (obsolete) Rendering fruitless or ineffectual.
  4. Adjective.  Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an '''abortive''' attempt.
  5. Adjective.  (biology) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an '''abortive''' organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
  6. Adjective.  (medicine) Causing abortion; as, '''abortive''' medicines. - Parr.
  7. Adjective.  (medicine) Cutting short; as, ''abortive'' treatment of typhoid fever.
  8. Noun.  (obsolete) That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.
  9. Noun.  (obsolete) A fruitless effort or issue.
  10. Noun.  (obsolete) A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion, abortifacient - Dunglison.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.