[ob.ject] n [ME, fr. ML objectum, fr. L, neut. of objectus, pp. of obicere to throw in the way, present, hinder, fr. ob- in the way + jacere to throw--more at ob-, jet] (14c) 1 a: something material that may be perceived by the senses "I see an ~ in the distance" b: something that when viewed stirs a particular emotion (as pity) "look to the tragic loading of this bed ... the ~ poisons sight; let it be hid --Shak."
2: something mental or physical toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed "an ~ for study" "the ~ of my affection" "delicately carved art ~s" 3 a: the goal or end of an effort or activity: purpose, objective "their ~ is to investigate the matter thoroughly" b: a cause for attention or concern "money is no ~"
4: a thing that forms an element of or constitutes the subject matter of an investigation or science
5. a: a noun or noun equivalent (as a pronoun, gerund, or clause) denoting the goal or result of the action of a verb b: a noun or noun equivalent in a prepositional phrase syn see intention -- ob.ject.less adj -- ob.ject.less.ness n
[2]ob.ject vb [ME, fr. L objectus, pp. of obicere to throw in the way, object] vt (15c): to put forth in opposition or as an objection "~ed that the statement was misleading" ~ vi 1: to oppose something firmly and usu. with words or arguments
2: to feel distaste for something -- ob.jec.tor n