Word of the DAY: Feb 1, 2016
Abject
Adjective
Pronounced - AB-jekt
Rhymes with object
Definition
1: sunk to or existing in a low state or condition
2
a: cast down in spirit : servile,
spiritless
b: showing hopelessness or
resignation
3: expressing or offered in a humble and often ingratiating
spirit
Examples
The organization is dedicated to alleviating the suffering
of those living in abject poverty.
"Harvey, the comedian and TV-radio host, offered abject
apologies after first saying Miss Colombia had won, then later Miss
Philippines—to the world’s shock and amazement." — Ken Stone,
MyNewsLA.com, 21 Dec. 2015
Abject comes from abjectus, the past participle of the Latin
verb abicere, meaning "to cast off." Its original meaning in English
was "cast off" or "rejected," but it is now used to refer
more broadly to things in a low state or condition. Abject shares with mean,
ignoble, and sordid the sense of being below the normal standards of human
decency and dignity. Abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility
("abject poverty"). Mean suggests having such repellent
characteristics as small-mindedness or ill temper ("mean and petty
satire"). Ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality
of mind or spirit ("an ignoble scramble after material possessions").
Sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual
degradation and lowness ("a sordid story of murder and revenge").
Name That Synonym
Fill in the blanks to create a synonym of abject: c _ _ pf _
_ len.
Merriam-Webster
