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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Abortive

A-bŏr'tive, a.

adjective

[Lat. abortivus. See ABORT.] 1. Brought forth in an immature state; imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; hence, failing, or coming to naught, before it is complete; fruitless; producing nothing. “Thou selfish-marked, abortive, rooting hog.” Shak. “An abortive enterprise.” Prescott. Abortive as the first-born bloom of spring Nipped with the lagging rear of winter’s frost. Milton.

  1. Pertaining to abortion; as, abortive vellum, made of the skin of an abortive calf.
  2. (Med.) Procuring or causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. Parry.

A-bŏr'tive, n.

noun
  1. That which is brought forth or born prematurely; an abortion. Shak.
  2. (Med.) That which is thought to produce abortion. Dunglison.