object

[n. ob-jikt, -jekt; v. uh b-jekt] /n. ˈɒb dʒɪkt, -dʒɛkt; v. əbˈdʒɛkt/
noun
1.
anything that is visible or tangible and is relatively stable in form.
2.
a thing, person, or matter to which thought or action is directed:
an object of medical investigation.
3.
the end toward which effort or action is directed; goal; purpose:
Profit is the object of business.
4.
a person or thing with reference to the impression made on the mind or the feeling or emotion elicited in an observer:
an object of curiosity and pity.
5.
anything that may be apprehended intellectually:
objects of thought.
6.
Optics. the thing of which a lens or mirror forms an image.
7.
Grammar. (in many languages, as English) a noun, noun phrase, or noun substitute representing by its syntactical position either the goal of the action of a verb or the goal of a preposition in a prepositional phrase, as ball in John hit the ball, Venice in He came to Venice, coin and her in He gave her a coin.
Compare direct object, indirect object.
8.
Computers. any item that can be individually selected or manipulated, as a picture, data file, or piece of text.
9.
Metaphysics. something toward which a cognitive act is directed.
verb (used without object)
10.
to offer a reason or argument in opposition.
11.
to express or feel disapproval, dislike, or distaste; be averse.
12.
to refuse or attempt to refuse to permit some action, speech, etc.
verb (used with object)
13.
to state, claim, or cite in opposition; put forward in objection:
Some persons objected that the proposed import duty would harm world trade.
14.
Archaic. to bring forward or adduce in opposition.
Origin
1325-75; (noun) Middle English: something perceived, purpose, objection < Medieval Latin objectum something thrown down or presented (to the mind), noun use of neuter of Latin objectus (past participle of objicere), equivalent to ob- ob- + jec- (combining form of jacere to throw; see jet1) + -tus past participle suffix; (v.) Middle English objecten to argue against (< Middle French obje(c)ter) < Latin objectāre to throw or put before, oppose
Related forms
objector, noun
overobject, verb
preobject, verb (used without object)
reobject, verb (used with object)
superobject, verb (used without object)
unobjected, adjective
Can be confused
abject, object.
Synonyms
3. objective, target, destination, intent, intention, motive. See aim.
Examples from the web for objects
  • The entire collection: books, articles, digital objects.
  • Candidates, in order to be successful, must agree to become objects--crafting appearances of status enhancing possessions.
  • One synesthete may feel phantom objects of different shapes depending on what food he is tasting.
  • Now scientists' forays into this universe are being put to a different use-as art objects.
  • What has me bothered is the lack of distinction being made between art and objects of consumption.
  • In the first, which lasted barely a year, sacred practices and ritual objects were often depicted in a representational style.
  • objects were unearthed from backyards, fished out of a cesspool, recovered in pre-dawn raids.
  • The dearth of objects behind it testifies to their failure to do so.
  • Several other glowing objects had been visible before this, and had been moving in various directions.
  • Beautiful household objects for a no-expenses-spared holiday.
British Dictionary definitions for objects

object1

/ˈɒbdʒɪkt/
noun
1.
a tangible and visible thing
2.
a person or thing seen as a focus or target for feelings, thought, etc: an object of affection
3.
an aim, purpose, or objective
4.
(informal) a ridiculous or pitiable person, spectacle, etc
5.
(philosophy) that towards which cognition is directed, as contrasted with the thinking subject; anything regarded as external to the mind, esp in the external world
6.
(grammar) a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase whose referent is the recipient of the action of a verb See also direct object, indirect object
7.
(grammar) a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that is governed by a preposition
8.
no object, not a hindrance or obstacle: money is no object
9.
(computing) a self-contained identifiable component of a software system or design: object-oriented programming
Word Origin
C14: from Late Latin objectus something thrown before (the mind), from Latin obicere; see object²

object2

/əbˈdʒɛkt/
verb
1.
(transitive; takes a clause as object) to state as an objection: he objected that his motives had been good
2.
(intransitive) often foll by to. to raise or state an objection (to); present an argument (against)
Derived Forms
objector, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Latin obicere, from ob- against + jacere to throw
Word Origin and History for objects

object

n.

late 14c., "tangible thing, something perceived or presented to the senses," from Medieval Latin objectum "thing put before" (the mind or sight), noun use of neuter of Latin obiectus "lying before, opposite" (as a noun in classical Latin, "charges, accusations"), past participle of obicere "to present, oppose, cast in the way of," from ob "against" (see ob-) + iacere "to throw" (see jet (v.)). Sense of "thing aimed at" is late 14c. No object "not a thing regarded as important" is from 1782. As an adjective, "presented to the senses," from late 14c. Object lesson "instruction conveyed by examination of a material object" is from 1831.

v.

c.1400, "to bring forward in opposition," from Old French objecter and directly from Latin obiectus, past participle of obiectare "to cite as grounds for disapproval, set against, oppose," literally "to put or throw before or against," frequentative of obicere (see object (n.)). Related: Objected; objecting.

objects in Culture

object definition


A part of a sentence; a noun, pronoun, or group of words that receives or is affected by the action of a verb. (See direct object, indirect object, and objective case.)

Idioms and Phrases with objects

object

see: money is no object