objective

Where does the word "objective" come from? It comes from Latin obicere, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (1600s).

Objective’s story begins in Latin: obicere meant “to throw against, to present.” The root of 'object', 'reject' and 'project'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as objectivus. Relating to something presented to the mind, from objectus. It reached English by 1600s as objective. Settled as the English word for something based on facts, or a goal aimed at. Today, objective means based on facts rather than personal feelings, or a goal that one aims to achieve.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient obicere "to throw against, to present", the root of 'object', 'reject' and 'project'.
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · medieval objectivus "relating to something presented to the mind", relating to something presented to the mind, from objectus.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s objective "based on facts rather than feelings, or a goal aimed at", settled as the English word for something based on facts, or a goal aimed at.