Definition of "object-ball" [object-ball]

• In billiards, any ball except the strikers: at caroms, distinguished as first or second. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "If your ball glides along in the intense and immediate vicinity of the object-ball, and a count seems exquisitely imminent, lift one leg; then one shoulder; then squirm your body around in sympathy with the direction of the moving ball; and at the instant when the ball seems on the point of colliding throw up both of your arms violently."
• "If the striker's ball is holed he plays from baulk; if an object-ball, it is spotted as at the beginning of the game."
• "If there are pockets, the striker scores 2 for holing the white object-ball and 3 for holing the black, but a cannon must be made by the same stroke; otherwise the score counts for the adversary."