abject
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abject¹
- /ˈæbd͡ʒɛkt/ UK
- /ˈæbˌd͡ʒɛkt/ US
Where it comes from
PIE word
*h₂epó
The adjective is derived from Late Middle English abiect, abject (adjective) [and other forms], from Middle French abject (modern French abject, abjet (obsolete)), and from its etymon Latin abiectus (“abandoned; cast aside”), an adjective use of the perfect passive participle of abiciō (“to discard, throw away”), from ab- (prefix meaning ‘away from’) + iaciō (“to throw”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(H)yeh₁- (“to throw”)).
The noun is derived from the adjective.
Cognates
* Italian abiecto (obsolete), abietto
* Late Latin abiectus (“humble or poor person”, noun)
* Spanish abjecto (obsolete), abyecto
adjective abjecter · more abject · abjectest · most abject
- Existing in or sunk to a low condition, position, or state; contemptible, despicable, miserable. These whelpes of the first lytter of gentilitie, these exhalations, drawen vp to the heauen of honour from the dunghill of abiect fortune, haue long been on horsebacke to come riding to your diuellship; but, I know not how, lyke Saint George, they are alwaies mounted but neuer moue.
- Complete; downright; utter. abject failure abject nonsense abject terror
- Lower than nearby areas; low-lying. The Roots of this Plant [healing wolfsbane (Aconitum anthora)] increaſe abundantly, ſoon overrunning a large Piece of Ground, therefore ſhould be confin'd in ſome abject Part of the Garden, or planted under Trees, it being very hardy, and growing in almoſt every Soil or Situation.
- Of a person: cast down in hope or spirit; showing utter helplessness, hopelessness, or resignation; also, grovelling; ingratiating; servile. Oh Noble Lord, bethinke thee of thy birth, / Call home thy ancient thoughts from baniſhment, / And baniſh hence theſe abiect lovvlie dreames: […]
- Marginalized as deviant. The abject can easily be grafted onto the immigrant body, which is often conceived as something to be excluded in order to preserve a coherent yet racist national imaginary.
noun abjects
- A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; an oppressed person; an outcast; also, such people as a class. Nevertheleſſe he thatt comfortith the abiecte⸝ comforted vs at the cõmynge of Titus.
abject²
- /æbˈd͡ʒɛkt/ US, UK
Rhymes with -ɛkt
Where it comes from
From Late Middle English abjecten (“to cast out, expel”) [and other forms], from abiect, abject (adjective) (see etymology 1).
Sense 3 (“of a fungus: to give off (spores or sporidia)”) is modelled after German abschleudern (“to give off forcefully”).
verb abjects · abjecting · abjected
- To cast off or out (someone or something); to reject, especially as contemptible or inferior. […] Dauid durſt not touch Saul, though he vvas abiected by God.
- To cast down (someone or something); to abase; to debase; to degrade; to lower; also, to forcibly impose obedience or servitude upon (someone); to subjugate. What phrases of abjecting themselves, in respect of the prince, can exceed David's humble expressing of himself to Saul?
- Of a fungus: to (forcibly) give off (spores or sporidia).
