abortive attempt
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abortive attempt — failed attempt, effort that did not succeed … English contemporary dictionary
Abortive — A*bor tive, a. [L. abortivus, fr. aboriri. See {Abort}, v.] 1. Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an abortive child. [R.] [1913 Webster] 2. Made from the skin of a still born animal; as, abortive vellum. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 3.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
abortive — abortive, aborted The central meaning of abortive since the time of Shakespeare has been ‘coming to nought, fruitless, useless, unsuccessful’. It can be applied to attempts, efforts, missions, coups, and rebellions, negotations, proposals, etc.,… … Modern English usage
abortive — a|bor|tive [əˈbo:tıv US əˈbo:r ] adj an abortive action is not successful ▪ an abortive military coup abortive attempt/effort ▪ an abortive attempt to reform local government … Dictionary of contemporary English
abortive — adjective an abortive action is not successful: an abortive military coup | abortive attempt/effort: an abortive attempt to reform local government … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
abortive — [[t]əbɔ͟ː(r)tɪv[/t]] ADJ: usu ADJ n An abortive attempt or action is unsuccessful. [FORMAL] ...an abortive attempt to prevent the current President from taking office. Syn: failed … English dictionary
abortive — adjective a) Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as an abortive child. , Plunged in that abortive gulf. b) Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; … Wiktionary
abortive — a|bor|tive [ ə bɔrtıv ] adjective not finished and therefore not successful: an abortive takeover bid by the larger company an abortive attempt to climb Mt. Everest … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
abortive — UK [əˈbɔː(r)tɪv] / US [əˈbɔrtɪv] adjective not finished and therefore not successful an abortive takeover bid by the larger company an abortive attempt to climb Mt Everest … English dictionary
attempt — I n. 1) to make an attempt 2) to foil, thwart an attempt 3) an abortive, fruitless, futile, vain; all out, concerted, last ditch; bold, brazen, daring; crude; deliberate; feeble, halfhearted, weak; first; premature; successful attempt; repeated… … Combinatory dictionary
