a. [ L. abortivus, fr. aboriri. See Abort, v. ] 1. Produced by abortion.as, an abortive child. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster + AS ] 2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual. [ Obs. ] “Plunged in that abortive gulf.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt. “An abortive enterprise.” Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Biol.) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc. AS [ 1913 Webster ] 6. (Med.) (a) Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. Parr. AS (b) Cutting short the period of an illness; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever. [ 1913 Webster + AS ] | 