Reading Theme:
Object: Meaning, Examples & Usage (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：physical object (object*)
object*
/ˈɑːbdʒɪkt/
n.
A physical thing that you can see and touch, that is not alive and not an idea.
physical object
➕
/ˈfɪzɪkəl ˈɑːbdʒɪkt/
n.
A tangible, non-living item that can be seen and touched.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin ob- (toward) + jacere (to throw), meaning 'something thrown before'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of an 'ob-ject' as something you 'ob-serve' and 'jec-t' (throw) your attention at.
📖 Example
On the kitchen table was a strange shiny object that no one could identify.
On the kitchen table was a strange shiny object that no one could identify.
🔗 Collocations
everyday object – an object commonly used in daily life
physical object – a tangible item made of matter
object of art – a decorative or artistic item
🚫 Antonyms
idea (n.) – a thought or concept, not a physical object
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'object' entered English via Latin 'objectum', a philosophical term for something perceived by the mind. In modern use, it retains the sense of a thing that is the focus of action or thought.
Meaning 2：purpose or goal (object*)
object*
/ˈɑːbdʒɪkt/
n.
The purpose, aim, or goal of an action or effort; something you try to achieve.
purpose or goal
➕
/ˈpɜːrpəs ɔːr ɡoʊl/
n.
The aim or intention of an action; what one seeks to achieve.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Her main object in joining the gym was to lose weight and feel healthier.
Her main object in joining the gym was to lose weight and feel healthier.
🔗 Collocations
object of study – the main focus of academic investigation
object of desire – something that is strongly wanted
object of the exercise – the main purpose of an activity
🚫 Antonyms
means (n.) – the method or instrument used to achieve an end
🌱 Derivatives
objective (n.) – a specific goal or target
Meaning 3：grammatical object (object*)
object*
/ˈɑːbdʒɪkt/
n.
In grammar, the person or thing that is affected by the action of a verb. It usually comes after the verb.
grammatical object
➕
/ɡrəˈmætɪkəl ˈɑːbdʒɪkt/
n.
In grammar, the noun phrase that receives the action of the verb.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
In the sentence ‘The cat chased the mouse‘, the word ‘mouse‘ is the direct object.
In the sentence ‘The cat chased the mouse‘, the word ‘mouse‘ is the direct object.
🔗 Collocations
direct object – the noun directly affected by the verb's action
indirect object – the noun that receives the direct object
object pronoun – a pronoun that functions as the object of a verb or preposition
🔄 Synonyms
complement (n.) – a word or phrase that completes the predicate of a sentence (sometimes used similarly)
🚫 Antonyms
subject (n.) – the noun that performs the action of the verb
🌱 Derivatives
object (verb) (v.) – to express disagreement
Wordbook
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