Medical Dictionary
Main Entry:
sub·jec·tive Pronunciation:
(")s&b-'jek-tiv Function:
adjective 1 a : relating to or determined by the mind as thesubject of experience <
subjective reality>
b : characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind
c : relating toor being experience or knowledge as conditioned by personal mental characteristics or states
2 a : arising from conditions within the brain or sense organs and not directly causedby external stimuli <
subjective sensations>
b : arising out of or identified by means of one's perception of one's own states and processes and not observable by anexaminer
subjective symptom of disease> subjective clinical improvement or both —Journal of the American Medical Association>—compare OBJECTIVE 2 —sub·jec·tive·ly adverb