deject
C1Formal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To cause (someone) to lose hope or become dispirited; to make sad or depressed.
To cast down the spirits of; to dishearten. Used primarily in the form 'dejected' (adjective).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The base verb 'deject' is now rare in active use. Its semantic field is overwhelmingly dominated by the past participle adjective 'dejected', which describes a state of low spirits and despondency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally formal and rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Archaising, psychological/emotional state.
Frequency
Very low frequency as a verb. 'Dejected' (adjective) is low-to-medium frequency in formal writing in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] dejects [Object (person/group)][Subject (event/circumstance)] leaves [Object] dejectedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(look/feel) down in the dumps (a more common, informal equivalent for 'dejected')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in formal reports on morale: 'The failed merger bid left the team dejected.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism, psychology, or history texts to describe characters' or historical figures' states of mind.
Everyday
Very rare as a verb. 'Dejected' is used, but synonyms like 'down' or 'disheartened' are more common.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The constant rain began to deject even the most enthusiastic campers.
- He feared that his criticism would deject his young protégé.
American English
- The team's losing streak dejected their most loyal fans.
- Politicians should not let temporary setbacks deject them.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He looked dejected when his team lost.
- After failing the test, she felt very dejected.
- The dejected candidate left the room without saying a word.
- The news of the budget cuts dejected the entire research department, casting a pall over their future projects.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DEJECT' = 'DOWN-EJECT'. You eject someone's mood down into sadness.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOW SPIRITS IS DOWN ('He was feeling down/dejected'). GOOD IS UP ('His spirits rose').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'отвергать' (to reject). 'Deject' is about emotions, not refusal. 'Dejected' translates closest to 'удрученный', 'подавленный'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'deject' as a common verb (very rare). Confusing 'dejected' with 'rejected'. Overusing 'dejected' in informal speech where 'upset' or 'down' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'deject' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the verb 'deject' is rare and formal in modern English. The adjective 'dejected' is far more common.
'Dejected' typically describes a temporary state of low spirits due to a specific setback. 'Depressed' can be synonymous but also describes a longer-term, more serious clinical condition.
No, this is not a standard construction. The verb is transitive ('Something dejected someone').
'Dejection' is the noun, meaning a state of sadness or low spirits. Example: 'He sank into a state of deep dejection.'
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