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abortive

The origin and history of abortive.

Etymology

First recorded in 1382 with the meaning "causing stillbirth or miscarriage". Came into English as Middle English abortif, from Old French abortif, from Latin abortīvus ("causing abortion"), from aborior ("miscarry, disappear"), made up of ab ("amiss") and orior ("appear, be born, arise").

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