1. (a.) Cut short; ending without results; as, an abortive attempt at a marathon\.

2. (v.) Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, abortive vellum.

3. (v.) Rendering fruitless or ineffectual.

4. (v.) Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an abortive attempt.

5. (v.) Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.

6. (v.) Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines.

7. (v.) Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.

8. (n.) That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.

9. (n.) A fruitless effort or issue.

10. (n.) A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion.

barren bootless failed failing fruitless futile gainless immature ineffective ineffectual inefficacious lame manque miscarried miscarrying nonremunerative of no effect otiose profitless rewardless sterile stickit stillborn successless unavailable unavailing unformed unfortunate unmatured unproductive unprofitable unremunerative unrewarding unripe unsuccessful useless vain