Abject

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈæbd͡ʒɛkt/

Definitions

1. Existing in a state of complete misery, degradation, or hopelessness
2. in a condition of utter wretchedness, humiliation, or despair that reflects contempt or shame
3. characterized by the lowest degree of degradation, servility, or pitiful circumstances that evoke deep disapproval

Etymology: Latin "abiectus" meant "cast away" or "discarded," and it was built from "ab," meaning "away from," and "iacere," meaning "to throw." A thing thrown off or aside was worthless, and that literal sense of rejection carried over into the adjective. In the Late Latin period "abiectus" was also used for a humble or poor person, so the word attached itself to people as well as things early on. English borrowed the word through Middle French "abject" during the Late Middle English period, and at first it still carried the idea of being cast out. The verb "abjecten," meaning "to cast out, expel," came from the same adjective, so the sense of rejection persisted in English for a time before the modern meaning of wretchedness and degradation took over.

Synonyms: miserable, wretched, degrading, disheartening, hopeless

Antonyms: noble, exalted, lofty, uplifted, proud