Worthless article yields nothing for American (6)

I believe the answer is:

abject

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'worthless' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for abject that I've seen before include "Of the most contemptible kind" , "Lacking all dignity" , "Extremely humble" , "Lacking all pride, grovelling" , "Low in spirit or hope" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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