abortive (abortiv)

and n. [ The toes [of seals) are completely united by strong webs, and the straight nails are sometimes reduced in number, or even altogether abortive . Huxley , Anat. Vert., p. 359. The power of voluntarily uncovering the canine [tooth] on one side of the face being thus often wholly lost, indicates that it is a rarely used and almost abortive action. Darwin, Expre , of Emot., p. 253. Hence-3. Not brought to completion or to a succe ful i ue; failing; miscarrying; coming to nought: as, an abortive scheme. Abortive as the first-born bloom of spring, Nipp'd with the lagging rear of winter's frost. Milton , S. A., 1. 1576. He made a salutation, or, to speak nearer the truth, an ill-defined, abortive attempt at courtesy. Hawthorne, Seven Gables, vii.