abortive
[ uh-bawr-tiv ]
/ əˈbɔr tɪv /
adjective
failing to succeed; unsuccessful: an abortive rebellion; an abortive scheme.
born prematurely.
imperfectly developed; rudimentary.
Medicine/Medical.
- producing or intended to produce abortion; abortifacient.
- acting to halt progress of a disease.
Pathology.
(of the course of a disease) short and mild without the usual, pronounced clinical symptoms.
Botany.
(of seeds or pollen grains) imperfect; unable to germinate.
Origin of abortive
SYNONYMS FOR abortive
OTHER WORDS FROM abortive
Words nearby abortive
Example sentences from the Web for abortive
British Dictionary definitions for abortive
abortive
/ (əˈbɔːtɪv) /
adjective
failing to achieve a purpose; fruitless
(of organisms) imperfectly developed; rudimentary
causing abortion; abortifacient
Medical definitions for abortive
abortive
[ ə-bôr′tĭv ]
adj.
Not reaching completion, as of a disease subsiding before it has finished its course.
Partially or imperfectly developed; rudimentary.
Abortifacient.