dejection
UK[dɪˈdʒekʃn]US[dɪˈdʒekʃn]
n
a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
ject
ion
de
down
ject
throw
ion
action or state
Etymology
the word dejection originates from the latin deiectio, meaning "a throwing down," which itself derives from the verb deicere ("to cast down"). this verb is a compound of the prefix de- ("down") and iacere ("to throw"). the literal sense of being physically cast down evolved metaphorically in late middle english to describe the emotional state of being cast down in spirit or depressed. thus, the modern abstract meaning of sadness and low spirits retains the core conceptual logic of being thrown into a lower state.
Analysis
Structure: de (down) + ject (throw) + ion (action or state)
de: a latin prefix meaning "down, away, off".
ject: from latin iacere, meaning "to throw".
ion: a latin suffix forming nouns denoting action or resulting state.
Examples
after the team's loss, a palpable air of dejection settled over the locker room.
she couldn't hide her dejection when her application was rejected.
a period of dejection often follows significant personal disappointment.