abortive
[ uh-bawr-tiv ]
/ əˈbɔr tɪv /
adjective
failing to succeed; unsuccessful: an abortive rebellion; an abortive scheme.
born prematurely.
imperfectly developed; rudimentary.
Medicine/Medical.
- producing or intended to produce abortion; abortifacient.
- acting to halt progress of a disease.
Pathology. (of the course of a disease) short and mild without the usual, pronounced clinical symptoms.
Botany. (of seeds or pollen grains) imperfect; unable to germinate.
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Origin of abortive
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for abortive
British Dictionary definitions for abortive
abortive
/ (əˈbɔːtɪv) /
adjective
failing to achieve a purpose; fruitless
(of organisms) imperfectly developed; rudimentary
causing abortion; abortifacient
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for abortive
abortive
[ ə-bôr′tĭv ]
adj.
Not reaching completion, as of a disease subsiding before it has finished its course.
Partially or imperfectly developed; rudimentary.
Abortifacient.
Other words from abortive
a•bor′tive•ly adv.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.