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Abject vs Pathetic - What's the difference?

abject | pathetic |

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between abject and pathetic

is that abject is (obsolete) to cast down; hence, to abase; to degrade; to lower; to debase while pathetic is (obsolete) expressing or showing anger; passionate.

As adjectives the difference between abject and pathetic

is that abject is (obsolete) rejected; cast aside while pathetic is arousing pity, sympathy, or compassion.

As a noun abject

is a person in the lowest and most despicable condition; a castaway; outcast .

As a verb abject

is (obsolete) to cast off or out; to reject .

abject

English

Etymology 1

* From (etyl) .

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • (obsolete) Rejected; cast aside.
  • Sunk to or existing in a low condition, state, or position.
  • *
  • Cast down in spirit or hope; degraded; servile; grovelling; despicable; lacking courage; offered in a humble and often ingratiating spirit.
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Showing utter hopelessness; helplessness; showing resignation; wretched.
  • *
    • Usage notes
    * Nouns to which "abject" is often applied: poverty, fear, terror, submission, misery, failure, state, condition, apology, humility, servitude, manner, coward.
    Synonyms
    * beggarly, contemptible, cringing, degraded, groveling, ignoble, mean, mean-spirited, slavish, vile, worthless
    Related terms
    * abjectly * abjectness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; a castaway; outcast.
  • *
  • *

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) abjecten, derived from the adjective form.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To cast off or out; to reject.
  • *
  • (obsolete) To cast down; hence, to abase; to degrade; to lower; to debase.
    • (John Donne)
    Related terms
    * abjection

    References

    English heteronyms ----

    pathetic

    English

    Alternative forms

    * pathetick (archaic) * patheticke (obsolete) * pathetique (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Arousing pity, sympathy, or compassion.
    • The old man’s pathetic pleas for forgiveness stirred the young man’s heart.
  • Arousing scornful pity or contempt, often due to miserable inadequacy.
    • You can't even run two miles? That’s pathetic .
    You're almost 26 years old and you still can't hold a real job? That's pathetic .
  • * {{quote-video, year=2005, title=
    • , passage=Well you'd better think of something because middle-aged tramps aren't cute, they're pathetic .}}
  • (obsolete) Expressing or showing anger; passionate.

    • Synonyms

    * (arousing pity) pitiful, wretched, miserable, deplorable, pathetisad * (arousing scorn) disgraceful, shameful, despicable, dishonorable

    Derived terms

    * patheticism * patheticness

    Related terms

    * pathos

    External links

    * *