Abortive

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /əˈbɔɹ.tɪv/
• RP IPA: /əˈbɔː.tɪv/

Origin

First attested in 1382, with the meaning "causing stillbirth or miscarriage". From Middle English, from Old French abortif,

SOED5|page=7

from Latin abortīvus ("causing abortion"), from aborior ("miscarry, disappear"), from ab ("amiss") + orīor ("appear, be born, arise")

CDOE|page=4

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Full definition of abortive

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Produced by abortion; born prematurely. Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid 18^th century.an abortive child
2. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful. First attested in the late 16^th century.an abortive attempt
• 1799 edition, John Milton, Paradise Lost:... and with utter loss of beingThreatens him, plung'd in that abortive gulf.
• unknown date, William H. PrescottAn abortive enterprise.
3. (biology) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile. First attested in the mid 18^th century.an abortive organan abortive stamenan abortive ovule
4. (medicine, rare, attributive) Causing abortion; abortifacientabortive medicines
5. (medicine) 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

Derived terms

• abortiveness

Noun

1. (obsolete) That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. Attested from around (1150 to 1350) until the mid 18^th century.
• "Thou elvish-mark'd, abortive, rooting hog!" - Shakespeare, Richard III, I-iii
2. (obsolete) A fruitless effort or issue. Attested from the early 17^th century until the early 18^th century.
3. (obsolete) A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion, abortifacient.

Verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To cause an abortion; to render without fruit. Attested only in the 17^th century.