objective meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

objective

adj

UK /ɒbˈd͡ʒɛk.tɪv/ · CA, US /əbˈd͡ʒɛk.tɪv/

Etymology From Middle English obgectyf, from Middle French objectif and its etymon Medieval Latin obiectīvus. By surface analysis, object + -ive.

Of or relating to a material object, actual existence or reality.

Not influenced by the strong emotions or prejudices.

Based on observed facts; without purely subjective assessment.

Human sciences, Philosophy, Sciences Mind-independent

Engagement of employees in the Public Administration and in the wider Public Sector, ..., shall take place either by competitive entry examination or by selection on the basis of predefined and objective criteria, and shall be subject to the control of an independent authority, as specified by law.1975, Constitution of Greece:
The value of pedagogical material informed by objective methodological procedures developed in corpus linguistics is widely recognized.2018, Clarence Green, James Lambert, “Advancing disciplinary literacy through English for academic purposes: Discipline-specific wordlists, collocations and word families for eight secondary subjects”, in Journal of English for Academic Purposes, volume 35, →DOI, page 106:

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Of, or relating to a noun or pronoun used as the object of a verb.

The objective complement in "She makes us angry" is the adjective "angry".
Let us now glance at the demonstrative and relative pronouns. Of the former there are but two in English, this and that, with their plural forms, these and those. To them, American adds a third, them, which is also the personal pronoun of the third person, objective case.[1921 [1919], H. L. Mencken, chapter 41, in The American Language, 2nd edition, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, →ISBN, →OCLC:

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Of, or relating to verbal conjugation that indicates the object (patient) of an action. (In linguistic descriptions of Tundra Nenets, among others.)

The general finite stem is the verbal stem which serves as the basis of inflection in the indicative present and past in the subjective conjugation and the objective conjugation with the singular and dual object.2014, Irina Nikolaeva, A Grammar of Tundra Nenets, Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter, →ISBN:

Antonyms: subjective
Derived terms: biobjective, interobjective, multiobjective, nonobjective, objectivate, objectivation, objective clause, objective correlative, objective function, objective lens, objectively, objectiveness, objective piece, objective synonym, objective tinnitus, Objectivism, objectivism, objectivist, objectivity, objectivize, orchestrated objective reduction, triobjective, unobjective
Coordinate terms: semisubjective

objective

noun

Etymology From Middle English obgectyf, from Middle French objectif and its etymon Medieval Latin obiectīvus. By surface analysis, object + -ive.

A material object that physically exists.

A goal that is striven for.

His [Henry Sweet's] true objective was the provision of a full, accurate, legible script for our noble but ill-dressed language; but he was led past that by his contempt for the popular Pitman system of Shorthand, which he called the Pitfall system.1912 (date written), [George] Bernard Shaw, “Pygmalion. Preface.”, in Androcles and the Lion, Overruled, Pygmalion, London: Constable and Company, published 1916, →OCLC, page 101:
In 1903, I had adventured, for the first time, northwards, and it really was the North, as my objective was the Great North of Scotland Railway.1957 July 23, M. D. Greville, “A Diamond Jubilee of Railway Memories”, in Railway Magazine, page 459:

3 more examples

The Group has recently concentrated on two main objectives, the implementation of a Code of Practice on minor station improvements and the preparation of a stock list of approved items of equipment for railway stations.1962 October, Brian Haresnape, “Focus on B.R. passenger stations”, in Modern Railways, page 252:
Objectives are the stepping stones which guide you to achieving your goals. They must be verifiable in some way, whether thatʼs statistically – ‘the more I do this, the better I get at itʼ – or by some other achievable concept such as getting the job or relationship that you want. Itʼs crucial that your objectives lead you logically towards your goal and are quantifiable.2012, Christine Wilding, chapter 2, in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Croydon, UK: CPI Group (UK) Ltd, page 15:
The new imperative for investment is the Government's objective to secure carbon-neutral transport emissions by 2040.2020 December 2, Industry Insider, “The costs of cutting carbon”, in Rail, page 76:

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences The objective case.

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences a noun or pronoun in the objective case.

The lens or lenses of a camera, microscope, or other optical device closest to the object being examined.

Derived terms: behavioral objective, cost objective, learning objective, recovery time objective, subobjective, teleobjective
Related terms: goal