Adjective

1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as an abortive child.
2. Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as an abortive vellum.
3. Rendering fruitless or ineffectual.

   • "Plunged in that abortive gulf." - John Milton

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

   • An abortive enterprise. - William H. Prescott

5. Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an abortive organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
6. Causing abortion; as, abortive medicines. - Parr
7. Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.

Noun

1. That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.

   • "Thou elvish-mark'd, abortive, rooting hog!" - Shakespeare, Richard III, I-iii

2. A fruitless effort or issue.
3. A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion, abortifacient - Dunglison