| English Dictionary |
STILLBORN
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does stillborn mean?
• STILLBORN (adjective)
The adjective STILLBORN has 2 senses:
1. failing to accomplish an intended result
2. (of newborn infant) showing no signs of life at birth; not liveborn
Familiarity information: STILLBORN used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Failing to accomplish an intended result
Synonyms:
abortive; stillborn; unsuccessful
Context example:
a stillborn plot to assassinate the President
Similar:
unfruitful (not fruitful; not conducive to abundant production)
Sense 2
Meaning:
(of newborn infant) showing no signs of life at birth; not liveborn
Context example:
a stillborn baby
Similar:
dead (no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life)
Context examples
Approximately half of the cases are stillborn.
(Conjoined Twins, NCI Thesaurus)
Babies with anencephaly are either stillborn or die shortly after birth.
(Neural Tube Defects, NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"The mountains shake but do not fall." (Albanian proverb)
"Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten." (Nigerian proverb)
"What good serve candle and glasses, if the owl does not want to see." (Dutch proverb)