A man living in abject poverty.
An example of abject poverty would be homelessness.
- of the lowest degree; miserable; wretched: abject poverty
- lacking self-respect; degraded: an abject coward
Origin of abjectMiddle English ; from Classical Latin abjectus, past participle of abjicere, to throw away ; from ab-, from + jacere, to throw: see jet
- Extremely contemptible or degrading: abject cowardice. See Synonyms at base2.
- Being of the most miserable kind; wretched: abject poverty; abject grief.
- Thoroughgoing; complete. Used to modify pejorative nouns: an abject failure.
- Extremely submissive or self-abasing: abject apologies.
Origin of abjectMiddle English, outcast, from Latin abiectus, past participle of abicere, to cast away : ab-, from; see ab–1 + iacere, to throw; see y&emacron;- in Indo-European roots.
(comparative abjecter or more abject, superlative abjectest or most abject)
- Sunk to or existing in a low condition, state, or position. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]
- Cast down in spirit or hope; degraded; servile; grovelling; despicable; lacking courage; offered in a humble and often ingratiating spirit. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]
- Showing utter hopelessness; helplessness; showing resignation; wretched. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]
- Nouns to which "abject" is often applied: poverty, fear, terror, submission, misery, failure, state, condition, apology, humility, servitude, manner, coward.
(third-person singular simple present abjects, present participle abjecting, simple past and past participle abjected)
From Middle English abjecten, derived from the adjective form.