ab·ject / ˈabˌjekt; abˈjekt/ • adj. 1. (of a situation or condition) extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading: abject poverty. ∎  (of an unhappy state of mind) experienced to the maximum degree: abject misery. ∎  (of a failure) absolute and humiliating.2. (of a person or their behavior) completely without pride or dignity: an abject apology.DERIVATIVES: ab·jec·tion / abˈjekshən/ n.ab·ject·ly adv.ab·ject·ness n.

abject †pp. rejected XV; adj. downcast, degraded XV; sb. outcast XVI. — L. abjectus, pp. of abicere, f. AB- + jacere throw.