A*bor"tive (&?;), a. [L. abortivus,
fr. aboriri. See Abort, v.]
1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an
abortive child. [R.]
2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as,
abortive vellum. [Obs.]
3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. [Obs.]
"Plunged in that abortive gulf." Milton.
4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect;
miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt.
"An abortive enterprise." Prescott.
5. (Biol.) Imperfectly formed or developed;
rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule,
etc.
6. (Med.) (a) Causing
abortion; as, abortive medicines. Parr.
(b) Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of
typhoid fever.
A*bor"tive, n. 1. That
which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. [Obs.]
Shak.
2. A fruitless effort or issue. [Obs.]
3. A medicine to which is attributed the property
of causing abortion. Dunglison.
