Main Entry: ¹sub·jec·tive

Pronunciation: \(ˌ)səb-ˈjek-tiv\

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 : of, relating to, or constituting a subject: as a obsolete : of, relating to, or characteristic of one that is a subject especially in lack of freedom of action or in submissiveness b : being or relating to a grammatical subject; especially : nominative
2 : of or relating to the essential being of that which has substance, qualities, attributes, or relations
3 a : characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind : phenomenal — compare objective 1b b : relating to or being experience or knowledge as conditioned by personal mental characteristics or states
4 a (1) : peculiar to a particular individual : personal <subjective judgments> (2) : modified or affected by personal views, experience, or background <a subjective account of the incident> b : arising from conditions within the brain or sense organs and not directly caused by external stimuli <subjective sensations> c : arising out of or identified by means of one's perception of one's own states and processes <a subjective symptom of disease> — compare objective 1c
5 : lacking in reality or substance : illusory

— sub·jec·tive·ly adverb

— sub·jec·tive·ness noun

— sub·jec·tiv·i·ty \-ˌjek-ˈti-və-tē\ noun