abortive

The definition of abortive is something that was unsuccessful.

(adjective)

An example of abortive would be a political campaign that was stopped before the election.

Abortive is defined as something that did not develop properly.

(adjective)

An example of abortive is the rudimentary wings on birds that cannot fly.

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See abortive in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. coming to nothing; unsuccessful; fruitless
  2. Biol. arrested in development; rudimentary
  3. Med.
    1. causing abortion
    2. halting a disease process
  4. Obsolete born prematurely

Origin: ME abortif < L abortivus: see abort

See abortive in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Failing to accomplish an intended objective; fruitless: an abortive attempt to conclude the negotiations.
  2. Biology Partially or imperfectly developed: an abortive organ.
  3. Causing or meant to cause abortion; abortifacient.

Related Forms:

  • a·borˈtive·ly adverb
  • a·borˈtive·ness noun

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