abject

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   showing humiliation or submissiveness

   an abject apology

2. 2
   adj

   of the most contemptible kind

   abject cowardice

3. 3
   adj

   most unfortunate or miserable

   the most abject slaves joined in the revolt

4. 4
   adj

   showing utter resignation or hopelessness

   abject surrender

5. 5
   adj

   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.

6. 6
   adj

   Complete; downright; utter.

   abject failure   abject nonsense   abject terror

7. 7
   adj

   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.

8. 8
   adj

   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: […]

Etymology

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) * Span…