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object Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
    physical object.
    • it was full of rackets, balls and other objects
  2. noun the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)
    aim; objective; target.
    • the sole object of her trip was to see her children
  3. noun (grammar) a constituent that is acted upon
    • the object of the verb
  4. noun the focus of cognitions or feelings
    • objects of thought
    • the object of my affection
  5. noun (computing) a discrete item that provides a description of virtually anything known to a computer
  6. verb express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent
    • She never objected to the amount of work her boss charged her with
  7. verb be averse to or express disapproval of
    • My wife objects to modern furniture

Ob*ject" transitive verb
L. objectus, p.p. of objicere, obicere, to throw or put before, to oppose; ob (see Ob-) + jacere to throw: cf. objecter. See Jet a shooting forth.
imperfect & past participle Objected; present participle & verbal noun Objecting
  1. To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose. Obs.
    Of less account some knight thereto object, Whose loss so great and harmful can not prove. Fairfax.
    Some strong impediment or other objecting itself. Hooker.
    Pallas to their eyes The mist objected, and condensed the skies. Pope.
    He gave to him to object his heinous crime. Spencer.
    Others object the poverty of the nation. Addison.
    The book ... giveth liberty to object any crime against such as are to be ordered. Whitgift.
Ob*ject" intransitive verb
  1. To make opposition in words or argument; -- usually followed by to. Sir. T. More.
Ob"ject noun
L. objectus. See Object, v. t.
  1. That which is put, or which may be regarded as put, in the way of some of the senses; something visible or tangible; as, he observed an object in the distance; all the objects in sight; he touched a strange object in the dark.
    Object is a term for that about which the knowing subject is conversant; what the schoolmen have styled the "materia circa quam." Sir. W. Hamilton.
    The object of their bitterest hatred. Macaulay.
  3. That by which the mind, or any of its activities, is directed; that on which the purpose are fixed as the end of action or effort; that which is sought for; end; aim; motive; final cause. = goal
    Object, beside its proper signification, came to be abusively applied to denote motive, end, final cause.... This innovation was probably borrowed from the French. Sir. W. Hamilton.
    Let our object be, our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country. D. Webster.
  4. Sight; show; appearance; aspect. Obs. Shak.
    He, advancing close Up to the lake, past all the rest, arose In glorious object. Chapman.
Ob*ject" adjective
L. objectus, p. p.
  1. Opposed; presented in opposition; also, exposed. Obs.

Webster 1913