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Abortive

a.
  1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child.
  2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum.
  3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual.
  4. Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt.
  5. (Biol.) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
    1. Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines.
    2. Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.

n.
  1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.
  2. A fruitless effort or issue.
  3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion; -- also called an abortifacient.