— abortively , adv. — abortiveness , n.
/euh bawr"tiv/ , adj.
1. failing to succeed; unsuccessful: an abortive rebellion; an abortive scheme.
2. born prematurely.
3. imperfectly developed; rudimentary.
4. Med.
a. producing or intended to produce abortion; abortifacient.
b. acting to halt progress of a disease.
5. Pathol. (of the course of a disease) short and mild without the usual, pronounced clinical symptoms.
6. Bot. (of seeds or pollen grains) imperfect; unable to germinate.
[ 1300-50; ME abortivus. See ABORT, -IVE ]
Syn. 1. fruitless, ineffectual, bootless, unavailing, vain.
Ant. 1. successful.