Meaning and usage of the word abortive in English

The word "abortive" has its roots in Latin. The Latin word "abortivus" means "miscarriage" or "stillborn," which is derived from "abors," meaning "to cast away" or "to reject," and the suffix "-tivus," which forms an adjective. In the 15th century, the word "abortive" was borrowed into Middle English from Old French, where it was spelled "aborteif." Initially, the word referred specifically to the act of inducing miscarriage or a stillbirth. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include any attempt or effort that fails or ends prematurely, often due to external factors or unforeseen circumstances. Today, "abortive" is used in a variety of contexts, including biology, medicine, politics, and everyday language, to describe an action or endeavor that falls short of its intended goal or outcome.