Definition of abject

The word "abject" has its roots in Latin. The Latin word "abjectus" means "cast away" or "rejected". This term was derived from the verb "abigere", which means "to drive away" or "to cast out". The Latin word "abjectus" was often used to describe something or someone that had been rejected, discarded, or cast aside. The word "abject" entered the English language in the 15th century, initially meaning "cast away" or "rejected". Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include connotations of shame, humiliation, and loss of dignity. Today, the word "abject" is often used to describe something that is despised, loathed, or detested. For example, one might say "the politician's abject failure to address the crisis" or "the abject poverty in the inner city".