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Adjective vs Abject - What's the difference?

adjective | abject |

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

is that adjective is (obsolete) a dependent; an accessory while abject is (obsolete) to cast down; hence, to abase; to degrade; to lower; to debase .

As adjectives the difference between adjective and abject

is that adjective is (obsolete) incapable of independent function while abject is (obsolete) rejected; cast aside .

As nouns the difference between adjective and abject

is that adjective is (grammar) a word that modifies a noun or describes a noun’s referent while abject is a person in the lowest and most despicable condition; a castaway; outcast .

As verbs the difference between adjective and abject

is that adjective is to make an adjective of; to form or convert into an adjective while abject is (obsolete) to cast off or out; to reject .

adjective

English

Adjective

(-)
  • (obsolete) Incapable of independent function.
  • * 1899 , , Emerson and Other Essays , AMS Press (1969) (as [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/13088 reproduced] in Project Gutenberg)
    • In fact, God is of not so much importance in Himself, but as the end towards which man tends. That irreverent person who said that Browning uses “God” as a pigment made an accurate criticism of his theology. In Browning, God is adjective to man.
  • (grammar) Adjectival; pertaining to or functioning as an adjective.
  • (legal) Applying to methods of enforcement and rules of procedure.
  • * Macaulay
    • The whole English law, substantive and adjective .
  • (chemistry, of a dye) Needing the use of a mordant to be made fast to that which is being dyed.

    • Synonyms

    * (incapable of independent function) dependent, derivative * (functioning as an adjective) adjectival * (applying to methods of enforcement and rules of procedure) procedural

    Antonyms

    * (applying to methods of enforcement and rules of procedure) substantive * (of a dye that needs the use of a mordant) substantive

    Derived terms

    * adjectival * adjective clause * adjective phrase * adjective patterns * proper adjective * common adjective

    Noun

    (en noun) (wikipedia adjective)
  • (grammar) A word that modifies a noun or describes a noun’s referent.
    • The words “big” and “heavy” are English adjectives .
  • (obsolete) A dependent; an accessory.
    • (Fuller)

    Hyponyms

    * See also

    Verb

    (adjectiv)
  • To make an adjective of; to form or convert into an adjective.
  • * Tooke
    • Language has as much occasion to adjective' the distinct signification of the verb, and to adjective also the mood, as it has to adjective time. It has ' adjectived all three.
  • * 1832 , William Hunter, An Anglo-Saxon grammar, and derivatives (page 46)
    • In English, instead of adjectiving' our own substantives, we have borrowed, in immense numbers, ' adjectived signs from other languages

    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 ----