Main Entry: abor·tive

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈbȯr-tiv\

Function: adjective

Date: 14th century

1 obsolete : prematurely born
2 : fruitless, unsuccessful
3 : imperfectly formed or developed
4 : tending to cut short

— abor·tive·ly adverb

— abor·tive·ness noun