What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Pusillanimous vs Abject - What's the difference?

pusillanimous | abject |

As adjectives the difference between pusillanimous and abject

is that pusillanimous is showing ignoble cowardice, or contemptible timidity while abject is (obsolete) rejected; cast aside .

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 .

pusillanimous

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Showing ignoble cowardice, or contemptible timidity
    • The soldier deserted his troop in a pusillanimous manner.
  • * 1882 — , On the Decay of the Art of Lying [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2572/2572.txt].
    • Therefore, the wise thing is for us diligently to train ourselves to lie thoughtfully, judiciously; to lie with a good object, and not an evil one; to lie for others' advantage, and not our own; to lie healingly, charitably, humanely, not cruelly, hurtfully, maliciously; to lie gracefully and graciously, not awkwardly and clumsily; to lie firmly, frankly, squarely, with head erect, not haltingly, tortuously, with pusillanimous mien, as being ashamed of our high calling.

    Related terms

    * pusillanimously * pusillanimousness

    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 ----