abortive

The story

1. Latin · derived fromabortīvus“causing abortion”
2. Old French · derived fromabortif
3. Middle English · inherited fromabortif
4. English todayabortive

First attested in 1382, with the meaning "causing stillbirth or miscarriage". From Middle English abortif, from Old French abortif, from Latin abortīvus (“causing abortion”), from aborior (“miscarry, disappear”), from ab (“amiss”) + orior (“appear, be born, arise”). By surface analysis, abort + -ive.

First known use, by meaning

• c. 1400–mid 1700s Produced by abortion; born prematurely and therefore unnatural.
• from late 1500s Coming to nothing; failing in its effect. .
• from mid 1700s Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile.
• Attested from around (1150 to 1350) until the mid 18ᵗʰ century. Someone or something born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.
• Attested from the early 17ᵗʰ century until the early 18ᵗʰ century. A fruitless effort.
• Attested only in the 17ᵗʰ century. To cause an abortion; to render without fruit.