Pronunciation: ( ˌ )s ə b- ' jek-tiv
Function: adjective
Date: 15th century
1 : of, relating to, or constituting a subject: as a obsolete : of, relating to, or characteristic of one that is a subject especially in lack of freedom of action or in submissiveness b : being or relating to a grammatical subject especially : NOMINATIVE
2 : of or relating to the essential being of that which has substance, qualities, attributes, or relations
3 a : characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind : PHENOMENAL ― compare OBJECTIVE 1b b : relating to or being experience or knowledge as conditioned by personal mental characteristics or states
4 a (1) : peculiar to a particular individual : PERSONAL < subjective judgments> (2) : modified or affected by personal views, experience, or background <a subjective account of the incident> b : arising from conditions within the brain or sense organs and not directly caused by external stimuli < subjective sensations> c : arising out of or identified by means of one's perception of one's own states and processes <a subjective symptom of disease> ― compare OBJECTIVE 1c
5 : lacking in reality or substance : ILLUSORY
– sub · jec · tive · ly adverb
– sub · jec · tive · ness noun
– sub · jec · tiv · i · ty \ - ˌ jek- ' ti-v ə -t ē \ noun