a. Obs. rare–1. [f. L. aborsus, variant of abortus, pa. pple. of aborīri: see ABORT. Nonius (c. 5, n. 506) makes a distinction between abortus and aborsus, evidently connecting the latter with ordiri to begin; and this was probably also the meaning of Fuller.] Abortive from the first; checked before even a beginning had been made.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, V. xxv. 287 (1840). Most of these designs were abortive, or aborsive rather.
