/ ˈæbdʒekt; NAmE / adjective [ usually before noun ] ( formal )
1.
terrible and without hope :
abject poverty / misery / failure
2.
without any pride or respect for yourself :
an abject apology
► ab·ject·ly adverb
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense rejected ): from Latin abjectus , past participle of abicere reject, from ab- away + jacere to throw.