sub|jec´tive|ness

sub|jec|tive «suhb JEHK tihv», adjective.

1. existing in the mind; belonging to the person thinking rather than to the object thought of. Ideas and opinions are subjective; facts are objective.

2. about the thoughts and feelings, as of the speaker, writer, or painter; personal. Lyric poetry is subjective, expressing the feelings of the poet; narrative poetry is generally objective, telling a story.

3. Grammar. being or serving as the subject of a sentence; nominative.

4. Psychology. a) originating within or dependent on the mind of the individual rather than an external object. b) = introspective. (Cf. ↑introspective)

5. Philosophy. a) of or relating to reality as perceived by the mind, as distinct from reality as independent of the mind. b) influenced by an individual's state of mind: »

a subjective perception or apprehension.

c) having to do with the substance of anything, as opposed to its qualities and attributes.

6. Medicine. (of symptoms) discoverable by the patient only.

7. Obsolete. of or having to do with someone who is subject to rule or control.

–sub|jec´tive|ly, adverb.

–sub|jec´tive|ness, noun.