Added 6 October 2026
abject
/ˈæbd͡ʒɛkt/ adjective
In Latin: miserabilis Wiktionary
adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about abject at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Of the most contemptible kind.
abject cowardice
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Most unfortunate or miserable.
the most abject slaves joined in the revolt
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Showing utter resignation or hopelessness.
abject surrender
Origin
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
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)