- (v.) Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child.
- (v.) Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum.
- (v.) Rendering fruitless or ineffectual.
- (v.) Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt.
- (v.) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
- (v.) Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines.
- (v.) Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.
- (n.) That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.
- (n.) A fruitless effort or issue.
- (n.) A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). abortive. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/abortive/definitions/1969791 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "abortive" http://smartdefine.org/abortive/definitions/1969791 (accessed September 22, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, abortive, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/abortive/definitions/1969791>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "abortive" 27 May 2011. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/abortive/definitions/1969791> |