Obs. [f. ABORTIVE a. Cf. to negative.]
1. trans. To cause abortion; to render ineffectual or fruitless.
1615. Albumazar, I. iii. (D.). One of your bold thunders may abortive And cause that birth miscarry.
1627. Feltham, Resolves (1677), II. lxxxiv. 341. In War, the vexed Earth abortives all her fruitfulness.
1699. Evelyn, Acetaria, 118 (1729). This is that which abortives the Perfection of the most glorious and useful Undertakings.
2. intr. To miscarry; prove abortive.
1692. Hacket, Life of Williams, II. 147 (D.). When peace came so near to the birth, how it abortived … comes now to be remembered.
