virtual object, n.All

A Virtual object (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the mother a child builds for itself while reaching for the real one — a centre that governs, and makes up for, its real successes and failures.

A Virtual object (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠what perception waits for: an image anticipated from the surroundings, against which the real thing is grasped when it appears.