[a. Fr. abjection, ad. L. abjectiōn-em, noun of action, f. abject- ppl. stem of abjicĕre: see ABJECT a.]

1

  † 1.  The action of casting down; abasement, humiliation, degradation. Obs.

2

c. 1525.  More, De quat. Nouiss., Wks. 1557, 87/2. Suche humility contempt and abieccion of our self.

3

1608.  Chapman, Byrons Tragedie, Plays, 1873, II. 312. He would be the death of him he should die by, ere he sufferd Such an abiection.

4

1653.  Jer. Taylor, Serm., XV. II. Growth in Grace. He reckons it no abjection to be abased in the face of man.

5

  2.  The condition or estate of one cast down; abasement, humiliation, degradation; downcastness, abjectness, low estate.

6

c. 1410.  Love, Bonaventura’s Speculum (Gibbs MS.), viii. Ffor he wold þat his lownes and abjeccioune were knowen.

7

1548.  Udall, etc., Erasm. Paraph., S. Luke ix. 58. His lowe state of abjection in this world.

8

1576.  Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 362. Somewhat releeved from this penurie, nakednes, and abiection.

9

1594.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol. (1632), v. 278. Basenesse, abjection of mind, or seruilitie.

10

1675.  Art of Contentment, III. § 19. 191. Tho Christ seem the same to us in his glory which he did in his abjection.

11

1741.  Middleton, Cicero (ed. 3), I. iv. 250. A base remissness and abjection of mind.

12

1879.  M. Arnold, Equality (Mixed Essays), 93. Who that has seen it can ever forget … the abjection and uncivilisedness of Glasgow?

13

1881.  F. P. Cobbe, Duties of Women (1882), i. 21–2. But, if the women of Europe have never sunk entirely to the abjection of the women of the East, they have suffered a subjection severe and stringent enough.

14

  † 3.  The action of casting off or away; rejection.

15

1607.  Rogers.  39 Articles, 62. The torments of hell, the second death, abjection from God.

16

1652.  J. Mayer, Comment on the Prophets, 63. The abjection of the Jews, [and] the receiving of the Gentiles.

17

1655.  W. Gouge, Comm. on the Hebrews, x. 2. The Arminian errour of excision or abscission, and abjection from Christ.

18

  † 4.  That which is cast off or away; refuse, scum, dregs. Usually fig. of persons.

19

1447.  Bokenham, Lyvys of Seyntys (Roxb. Cl.), 124. Thou shalt of comoun bordel be the abjeccyoun.

20

c. 1510.  Bonaventura’s Myrrour (Pynson), xiii. E ij. I am a worme and natte a man; reprefe of men and abjection of people.

21

1534.  Polyd. Verg., Eng. Hist., I. 195. These dregges and abjection of all menn.

22