ABORTIVE

abortive

Noun

  1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. <ref name=SOED/>
  2. A fruitless effort or issue. <ref name=SOED/>
  3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion, abortifacient.

Verb

  1. To cause an abortion; to render without fruit. <ref name=SOED/>

Adjective

  1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely. <ref name=SOED/>
    an abortive child
  2. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful. <ref name=SOED/>
    an abortive attempt
  3. Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile. <ref name=SOED/>
    an abortive organ
    an abortive stamen
    an abortive ovule
  4. Causing abortion; abortifacient
    abortive medicines
  5. Cutting short; acting to halt or slow the progress (of a disease).
    abortive treatment of typhoid fever
  6. Made from the skin of a still-born animal.
    abortive vellum


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