Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Displaying 2 result(s) from the 1913 edition:

Abortive (Page: 6)

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.

Abortive (Page: 6)

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.<-- now usu. abortifacient. --> Dunglison.