/ əˈbɔːtɪv; NAmE əˈbɔːrtɪv/ adjective
( formal ) ( of an action ) not successful; failed
SYN unsuccessful :
an abortive military coup
abortive attempts to divert the course of the river
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as a noun denoting a stillborn child or animal): via Old French from Latin abortivus , from aboriri miscarry, from ab- away, from + oriri be born.