abject

abject
adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin abjectus, from past participle of abicere to cast off, from ab- + jacere to throw — more at jet Date: 15th century 1. sunk to or existing in a low state or condition <
to lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fallen — John Milton
>
2. a. cast down in spirit ; servile, spiritless <
a man made abject by suffering
>
b. showing hopelessness or resignation <
abject surrender
>
3. expressing or offered in a humble and often ingratiating spirit <
abject flattery
>
<
an abject apology
>
Synonyms: see meanabjectly adverbabjectness noun

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • abject — abject, e [ abʒɛkt ] adj. • av. 1460; lat. abjectus ♦ Digne du plus grand mépris, qui inspire une violente répulsion. ⇒ abominable, dégoûtant, ignoble, infâme, méprisable, odieux, vil. Un être abject. Il a été abject. Des sentiments abjects. Son… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • abject — abject, ecte (ab jè kt ou ab jè, au fém. abjè kt ) adj. Qui est rejeté et digne de l être ; et, par conséquent, vil, méprisable. Les âmes abjectes. Il est d une naissance abjecte. •   Tout ce qu il y a de grand et tout ce qu il y a d abject, PASC …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • abject — abjéct, ă adj. care inspiră dezgust, repulsie, dispreţ; abominabil. (< fr. abject, lat. abiectus) Trimis de tavi, 08.01.2003. Sursa: MDN  ABJÉCT, Ă, abjecţi, te, adj. Care inspiră repulsie, dispreţ; josnic, netrebnic, mizerabil. – Din fr.… …   Dicționar Român

  • abject — ab ject ([a^]b j[e^]kt), a. [L. abjectus, p. p. of abjicere to throw away; ab + jacere to throw. See {Jet} a shooting forth.] 1. Cast down; low lying. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] From the safe shore their floating carcasses And broken chariot wheels;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • abject — ► ADJECTIVE 1) extremely unpleasant and degrading: abject poverty. 2) completely without pride or dignity: an abject apology. DERIVATIVES abjection noun abjectly adverb abjectness noun. ORIGIN Latin abjectus rejected , from jacere to throw …   English terms dictionary

  • abject — [ab′jekt΄, ab jekt′] adj. [ME < L abjectus, pp. of abjicere, to throw away < ab , from + jacere, to throw: see JET1] 1. of the lowest degree; miserable; wretched [abject poverty] 2. lacking self respect; degraded [an abject coward] SYN.… …   English World dictionary

  • Abject — Ab*ject ([a^]b*j[e^]kt ), v. t. [From {Abject}, a.] To cast off or down; hence, to abase; to degrade; to lower; to debase. [Obs.] Donne. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • abject — ABJECT, [abj]ecte. Adj. Méprisable, bas, vil, dont on ne fait nulle estime. Il se dit principalement de la naissance & de la condition. Un homme abject. condition abjecte. des emplois, des usages vils & abjects …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Abject — Ab ject ([a^]b j[e^]kt), n. A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; a castaway. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Shall these abjects, these victims, these outcasts, know any thing of pleasure? I. Taylor. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • abject — I adjective base, boorish, common, contemptible, corrupt, cowardly, craven, debased, degenerate, degraded, depraved, despicable, discreditable, dishonest, dishonorable, disreputable, ignoble, ignominious, inferior, inglorious, mean, penitent,… …   Law dictionary

  • abject — (adj.) early 15c., cast off, rejected, from L. abjectus, pp. of abicere to throw away, cast off; degrade, humble, lower, from ab away, off (see AB (Cf. ab )) + iacere to throw (pp. iactus; see JET (Cf. jet) (v.)). Figurative sense of …   Etymology dictionary

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