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more about abortive
abortive |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Abortive \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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Abortive \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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: abortive adj : failing to accomplish an intended result; "an abortive revolt"; "a stillborn plot to assassinate the President" [syn: {stillborn}, {unsuccessful}]
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