object
UK[ˈɒbdʒɪkt]US[ˈɑːbdʒekt]
n
A material thing that can be seen and touched.
n
A person or thing to which a specified action or feeling is directed.
n
The purpose or goal of an action or effort.
v
To express or feel disapproval, opposition, or dislike.
Morpheme Breakdown
ob
ject
ob
against
ject
throw
Etymology
The word 'object' entered English from the Latin 'obicere', a compound of 'ob-' (against) and 'iacere' (to throw). Its literal sense was "to throw something in the way, to put something before someone." This concrete action evolved into the noun form, signifying a thing "thrown before" the mind or senses—hence, a tangible thing perceived. The verb meaning, "to argue or put forth as a reason against," directly retains the original notion of throwing an argument or opposition against a proposal.
Analysis
Structure: ob (against) + ject (throw)
'ob-' is a Latin prefix meaning 'against', 'toward', or 'in the way of'. '-ject' is from the Latin root 'iacere', meaning 'to throw'.
Examples
She picked up the shiny object from the sand.
The main object of the meeting is to finalize the budget.
Many residents object to the construction of the new highway.