rejection
UK[rɪˈdʒɛkʃ(ə)n]US[rɪˈdʒɛkʃən]
n
the act of refusing to accept, consider, or agree to something or someone
n
the act of refusing to accept someone for a job, position, etc.
n
a situation in which someone does not give someone else the love and attention they want or expect
n
a medical process in which the body tries to attack a new organ that has been transplanted
Morpheme Breakdown
re
ject
ion
re
back/again
ject
throw
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'rejection' originates from the Latin verb reicere, meaning "to throw back," which is a compound of the prefix re- ("back") and the verb jacere ("to throw"). This literal sense of physically casting something away evolved through Late Latin rejectionem (a noun of action) and Old French before entering Middle English. The modern abstract meaning retains this core logic: to reject an idea, proposal, or person is metaphorically to "throw it back" to its source, refusing to accept or keep it. The suffix -ion solidifies this action into a noun denoting the process or result of that refusal.
Analysis
Structure: re (back/again) + ject (throw) + ion (noun suffix)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "back" or "again," indicating a backward or opposing action.
- ject: Latin origin, from the root jacere (to throw), acting as the core verb root.
- ion: Latin origin, a suffix forming nouns of action or state.
Examples
His proposal met with immediate rejection from the committee.
She felt a deep sense of rejection after not being invited to the party.
The patient's body showed no signs of organ rejection after the transplant surgery.