Abortive

A·bor·tive

Abortive

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

Abortive

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