self-abnegation
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 2.20 in modern English
20
Scrabble Score
14
Letters
6
Syllables
11
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The denial or invalidation of one's own needs, interests, etc. for the sake of another's; the setting aside of self-interest.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "[Self commendation] should bee accompanied with Self-abnegation, or a renouncing of all Self-conceit, Self-sufficiency, Self seeking, or Self worthiness; to prick the bladder of pride in us."
- "You understand, of course, that it is only by serving and self-abnegation that we advance in the higher world.""
- "She must no longer allow herself to hope for anything for herself. The rest of her life must be spent in self-abnegation: she must seek for no sympathy, must ask for no grace in love, no grace and harmony in living. Henceforward, as far as her own desires went, she was dead."
- "The problem was that the Ruler never let anyone know what was expected of him to retain his place of honor. Even humility and self-abnegation, however abject, were not enough to prevent one’s downfall."
- "[King Charles] lacks, too, that aura of self-abnegation, of having surrendered himself to duty."
- "Certain business titans have made Mar-A-Lago a scene of such flagrant self-abnegation, ring-kissing, and genuflection that it would embarrass a medieval Pope."
Etymology
From self- + abnegation.