Subjectively

adv. [f. prec. + -LY².]

  † 1.  In subjection; as a subject or subjects; submissively. Obs. rare.

1579.  W. Wilkinson, Confut. Fam. Love, 38. He willeth them to stand subiectiuely obedient to the Loue.

1678.  R. Barclay, Apol. Quakers, ii. § 11. 48. The Spirit doth now lead and influence the Saints, but … only subjectively, or in a blind manner.

  † 2.  In a subject, as in that in which attributes inhere; with regard to the subject of inhesion; inherently. Obs.

1615.  Crooke, Body of Man, 695. Hence doth arise another especiall difference betwixt a Sound and the obiects of other Senses, for these doe inhere in the sensible thinges actually and subiectiuely, both before, in, and after Sensation.

1626.  Yates, Ibis ad Cæsarem, I. 26. Damnation is neither from God originally, nor in God subjectively.

1656.  Jeanes, Fuln. Christ, 195. The fulnesse in the text [Col. 1. 19] regarded him subjectively, and intrinsecally, as adjunctum receptum, dwelling, and inhering in him.

1697.  Norris, Acc. Reason & Faith, i. (1724), 21. Come we now to the Consideration of Reason, as ’tis taken Subjectively.

1698.  Norris, Pract. Disc. (1722), IV. 167. By the Love of God we should … apprehend either that Love whereby a Man Loves God, taking the Term (God) Objectively, or that Love whereby he is beloved of him, taking the same Term Subjectively.

  † 3.  In its (specific) nature; in itself. Obs.

1621.  Bp. Mountagu, Diatribæ, 302. First-fruits and Tithes were of the same extent subiectiuely; or if there were excesse vpon eyther side, it was in First-fruits. Ibid. (a. 1641), Acts & Mon. (1642), 86. All the Propheticall blessings by Iacob … concerning his sons, are not all of one nature … either subjectively for the matter, or objectively for the Persons and their Posterity.

1675.  Burthogge, Causa Dei, 42. Though Infernal Punishments be all of them Perpetual, and consequently Infinite protensively and in duration, yet that Intrinsically and Subjectively they are but Finite.

1697.  Bold, Reply to Mr. Edward’s’s Refl., 45. That the Enquiry … was not concerning Christian Faith considered subjectively, but objectively.

  4.  In relation to the thinking subject; by a subjective process; with reference to the mind or to mental representation; in the mind, in thought.

1796.  Nitsch’s View Kant’s Princ., 222. To be of opinion, means, to take something for true, but from reasons that are neither subjectively nor objectively sufficient.

1803.  Edin. Rev., I. 262. Man is known to himself by consciousness. All other beings he knows only subjectively.

1825.  Coleridge, Aids Refl. (1848), I. 138. An idea conceived as subsisting in an object becomes a law: and a law contemplated subjectively in a mind is an idea.

1855.  [Miss Cobbe], Ess. Intuitive Morals, 85. When our ideal of the Divine Holiness is subjectively true—that is to say, when it is the very highest which our minds at the stage they have arrived at can apprehend.

1865.  J. H. Stirling, Secret of Hegel, I. 127. Kant conceived these relations [categories] subjectively, or from the point of view of our thought.

1880.  E. White, Certainty in Relig., Pref. p. viii. I have readily fallen into the popular usage [of Certainty and Certitude], which regards them as interchangeable expressions to denote subjectively the state of the mind only.

  5.  With reference to the individual mind or the personal character, mental attitude, feelings, etc.; in Art, etc., in such a manner as to express the personality or idiosyncrasies of an artist or writer.

1841.  Trench, Parables, ix. (1877), 186. The penny is very different to the different receivers; objectively the same, subjectively it is very different; it is in fact to every one exactly what he will make it.

1859.  Gullick & Timbs, Painting, 41. A work of Art may be said to be subjectively treated when it is characterized more by the peculiar æsthetic or idiosyncratic development of the artist himself.

  6.  Gram. In the subjective relation; as a subjective genitive.

1864.  J. Manning, Inq. Poss. Augment, 20. The genitive of the Anglo-Saxon personal pronoun … may be used … subjectively and objectively.