DictionaryRoot: iacere

Latin

iacere

throw, cast

Forms

iac-
iact- — Latin stem of the form meaning ‘thrown.’
-ic- — Used in Latin compounds.
-iect- — Stem of the form meaning ‘thrown’ in Latin compounds.
-ject- — English spelling of the compound stem.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ye-, ‘throw; impel.’

Note

Latin vowel length distinguishes this verb from iacēre, ‘lie down.’

13 / 18

verb

reject

To refuse to accept, approve, or use something.

The committee rejects the proposal because it costs too much.

Etymology

reLatinback, again; restoration or reversal

+jectLatinthrow, cast

The parts mean throwing back. Rejecting something figuratively sends it away instead of admitting it into use or acceptance.

More examples

You can reject the offer and keep looking.
The machine rejected my wrinkled dollar bill.
She rejects the idea that success depends on luck.

Forms

reject · rejects · rejected · rejecting

rejection noun — The act of refusing to accept something.

Similar words

refuse: Also covers choosing not to perform an action.
decline: Often suggests politely turning down an offer or invitation.
dismiss: Often means deciding something is not worth considering.