n. [ 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 and persists for an appreciable time; as, he observed an object in the distance; all the objects in sight; he touched a strange object in the dark. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Anything which is set, or which may be regarded as set, before the mind so as to be apprehended or known; that of which the mind by any of its activities takes cognizance, whether a thing external in space or a conception formed by the mind itself; as, an object of knowledge, wonder, fear, thought, study, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The object of their bitterest hatred. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That toward 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; goal; end; aim; motive; final cause. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let our object be, our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country. D. Webster. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Sight; show; appearance; aspect. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

He, advancing close
Up to the lake, past all the rest, arose
In glorious object. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Gram.) A word, phrase, or clause toward which an action is directed, or is considered to be directed; as, the object of a transitive verb. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Computers) Any set of data that is or can be manipulated or referenced by a computer program as a single entity; -- the term may be used broadly, to include files, images (such as icons on the screen), or small data structures. More narrowly, anything defined as an object within an object-oriented programming language. [ PJC ]

7. (Ontology) Anything which exists and which has attributes; distinguished from attributes, processes, and relations. [ PJC ]

Object glass, the lens, or system of lenses, placed at the end of a telescope, microscope, etc., which is toward the object. Its function is to form an image of the object, which is then viewed by the eyepiece. Called also objective or objective lens. See Illust. of Microscope. --
Object lesson, a lesson in which object teaching is made use of. --
Object staff. (Leveling) Same as Leveling staff. --
Object teaching, a method of instruction, in which illustrative objects are employed, each new word or idea being accompanied by a representation of that which it signifies; -- used especially in the kindergarten, for young children. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. objectus, p. p. ] Opposed; presented in opposition; also, exposed. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Objected; p. pr. & vb. n. Objecting. ] [ 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. ] 1. To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Of less account some knight thereto object,
Whose loss so great and harmful can not prove. Fairfax. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some strong impediment or other objecting itself. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pallas to their eyes
The mist objected, and condensed the skies. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason. [ 1913 Webster ]

He gave to him to object his heinous crime. Spencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Others object the poverty of the nation. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

The book . . . giveth liberty to object any crime against such as are to be ordered. Whitgift. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make opposition in words or argument; to express one's displeasure; -- usually followed by to; as, she objected to his vulgar language. Sir. T. More. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

a. Such as can be presented in opposition; that may be put forward as an objection. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. representing as an object. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ Object + -fy. ] To cause to become an object; to cause to assume the character of an object; to represent or consider as an object; to render objective. J. D. Morell. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

n. [ L. objectio: cf. F. objection. ] 1. The act of objecting; as, to prevent agreement, or action, by objection. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is, or may be, presented in opposition; an adverse reason or argument; a reason for objecting; obstacle; impediment; as, I have no objection to going; unreasonable objections. “Objections against every truth.” Tyndale. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Cause of trouble; sorrow. [ Obs. or R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He remembers the objection that lies in his bosom, and he sighs deeply. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Exception; difficulty; doubt; scruple. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Liable to objection; likely to be objected to or disapproved of; offensive; as, objectionable words. -- Ob*jec"tion*a*bly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. One who adheres to, or is skilled in, the objective philosophy. Ed. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]