tɪv adjective
1.
failing to succeed; unsuccessful: an abortive rebellion; an abortive scheme.
2.
born prematurely.
3.
imperfectly developed; rudimentary.
4.
Medicine/Medical.
a.
producing or intended to produce abortion; abortifacient.
b.
acting to halt progress of a disease.
5.
Pathology. (of the course of a disease) short and mild without the usual, pronounced clinical symptoms.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To abortive
00:10
Abortive
is always a great word to know.
So is ort. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
abortive (əˈbɔːtɪv) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | failing to achieve a purpose; fruitless |
| 2. | (of organisms) imperfectly developed; rudimentary |
| 3. | causing abortion; abortifacient |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
abortive
late 14c., from L. abortivus "causing abortion," from abortus, pp. of aboriri "disappear, miscarry," from ab- "amiss" + oriri "appear, be born, arise" (see orchestra); the compound word used in L. for deaths, miscarriages, sunsets, etc. The L. verb for "to produce an
abortion" was abigo, lit. "to drive away." Not originally used to imply forced or deliberate miscarriage; from 14c.-18c. stillborn children or domestic animals were said to be abortive. Also see abortion.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
abortive a·bor·tive (ə-bôr'tĭv)
adj.
Not reaching completion, as of a disease subsiding before it has finished its course.
Partially or imperfectly developed; rudimentary.
Abortifacient.
a·bor'tive·ly adv.
a·bor'tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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