Definition of "abortive" []

• Failing to accomplish an intended objective; fruitless: an abortive attempt to conclude the negotiations. (adjective)
• Biology Partially or imperfectly developed: an abortive organ. (adjective)
• Causing or meant to cause abortion; abortifacient. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The term abortive organ has been thus applied to above structure (as"
• "There is another grand class of facts relating to what are called abortive organs."
• "James, cut off in the prime of life, may almost be called the abortive"