Definition of "abortive" in English

adjective

1. (obsolete) Produced by abortion; born prematurely and therefore unnatural.

   • an abortive child

2. Coming to nothing; failing in its effect. .

   • an abortive attempt

3. (biology) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile.

   • an abortive organ
   • an abortive stamen
   • an abortive ovule

4. (medicine, pharmacology, rare) Causing abortion; abortifacient.

5. (medicine) Cutting short; acting to halt or slow the progress (of a disease).

   • abortive treatment of typhoid fever

6. (medicine, of a disease) Having a short and mild progression, without pronounced symptoms.

7. Made from the skin of a still-born animal.

   • abortive vellum

noun

1. (obsolete) Someone or something born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.

2. (obsolete) A fruitless effort.

3. (obsolete) A medicine that causes abortion, an abortifacient.

4. (obsolete) A medicine or treatment acting to halt or slow the progress of a disease.

verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To cause an abortion; to render without fruit.