Associations to the word «Abortive»

Wiktionary

ABORTIVE, adjective. (obsolete) Produced by abortion; born prematurely. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid 18th century.]
ABORTIVE, adjective. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful. [First attested in the late 16th century.]
ABORTIVE, adjective. (biology) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile. [First attested in the mid 18th century.]
ABORTIVE, adjective. (medicine) (rare) (attributive) Causing abortion; abortifacient
ABORTIVE, adjective. (medicine) Cutting short; acting to halt or slow the progress (of a disease).
ABORTIVE, adjective. Made from the skin of a still-born animal.
ABORTIVE, noun. (obsolete) That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. [Attested from around (1150 to 1350) until the mid 18th century.]
ABORTIVE, noun. (obsolete) A fruitless effort or issue. [Attested from the early 17th century until the early 18th century.]
ABORTIVE, noun. (obsolete) A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion, abortifacient.
ABORTIVE, verb. (transitive) (obsolete) To cause an abortion; to render without fruit. [Attested only in the 17th century.]

Dictionary definition

ABORTIVE, adjective. Failing to accomplish an intended result; "an abortive revolt"; "a stillborn plot to assassinate the President".

Wise words

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Steven Wright