Hypertext Webster Gateway: "abortive"

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) 1.7 (wn)

abortive
adj : failing to accomplish an intended result; "an abortive
revolt"; "a stillborn plot to assassinate the
President" [syn: {stillborn}, {unsuccessful}]

Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup

Enter word here:
Exact Approx

dict.stokkie.net
Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents; see the Webster Gateway FAQ, and also the Back-end/database links and credits.