objective

Borrowed from French objectif, from Latin ōbjectīvus.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɒbˈd͡ʒɛk.tɪv/, /əbˈd͡ʒɛk.tɪv/
• (US) IPA^(key): /əbˈd͡ʒɛk.tɪv/
• Rhymes: -ɛktɪv

objective (comparative more objective, superlative most objective)

1. Of or relating to a material object, actual existence or reality.
2. Not influenced by the emotions or prejudices.
3. Based on observed facts.
   • 1975, Constitution of Greece:

     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.

4. (grammar) Of, or relating to a noun or pronoun used as the object of a verb.
   • 1921, H. L. Mencken, The American Language:

     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.

5. (linguistics, grammar) Of, or relating to verbal conjugation that indicates the object (patient) of an action. (In linguistic descriptions of Tundra Nenets, among others.)
   • 2014, Irina Nikolaeva, A Grammar of Tundra Nenets, Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter, →ISBN

     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.

• Said of account, judgment, criteria, person, existence, or observation.

• subjective

• nonobjective
• objective correlative
• objectivity

objective (plural objectives)

1. A material object that physically exists.
2. A goal that is striven for.
   • 1913, G. B. Shaw, Pygmalion, Preface:

     His 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.

   • 2012, Christine Wilding, chapter 2, in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Croydon, UK: CPI Group (UK) Ltd, page 15:

     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.

3. (grammar) The objective case.

   Synonyms: object case, objective case

4. (grammar) a noun or pronoun in the objective case.
5. The lens or lenses of a camera, microscope, or other optical device closest to the object being examined.

• See also Thesaurus:goal

objective

1. feminine singular of objectif

objective

1. vocative masculine singular of objectivus