rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryabortivePregnancy termination
adjective

abortive

Relating to or causing the termination of a pregnancy.

The historian describes the abortive substances listed in the old manuscript.

Etymology
abortiveLatinpertaining to miscarriage

Latin abortivus referred to miscarriage or premature birth. This medical sense retains the connection with a pregnancy ending before it has run its course.

More examples

  • The text attributes an abortive effect to the preparation.
  • The study distinguishes abortive effects from other reproductive effects.
  • The archive contains a debate about an alleged abortive remedy.

Similar words

abortifacient
More specifically describes a substance that induces an abortion.