abortive

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Adjective 1.2.1 Translations 1.2.2 Derived terms 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 References 2 French 2.1 Adjective 3 Italian 3.1 Adjective

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Latin abortivus, from aboriri. See abort, (verb)

[edit] Adjective

abortive (comparative more abortive, superlative most abortive)

1. (rare) Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as an abortive child.
2. (obsolete) Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as an abortive vellum.
3. (obsolete) Rendering fruitless or ineffectual.

   • "Plunged in that abortive gulf." - John Milton

4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt.

   • An abortive enterprise. - William H. Prescott

5. (biology) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
6. (medicine) Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. - Parr
7. (medicine) Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

• abortiveness

[edit] Noun

abortive (plural abortives)

1. (obsolete) That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.

   • "Thou elvish-mark'd, abortive, rooting hog!" - Shakespeare, Richard III, I-iii

2. (obsolete) A fruitless effort or issue.
3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion, abortifacient - Dunglison

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• abortive in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

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[edit] French

[edit] Adjective

abortive f.

1. Feminine form of abortif.

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[edit] Italian

[edit] Adjective

abortive f.

1. Feminine plural form of abortivo.