Abortive

/əˈbɔː.tɪv/

noun

  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, abortifacient.

verb

  1. To cause an abortion; to render without fruit.

adjective

  1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely and therefore unnatural.

    an abortive child

  2. Coming to nothing; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful.

    an abortive attempt

  3. Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile.

    an abortive organ

abortive

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