I object as you are, I hear, taking opposite points and expedients (8)
I believe the answer is:
measures
'expedients' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'i object as you are i hear taking opposite points' is the wordplay.
'i object' becomes 'me'.
'are i hear' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'taking opposite points' becomes 'res' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'you' sounds like 'u'.
'me'+'as'+'u'+'res'='MEASURES'
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for measures that I've seen before include "Establishes size, mass, etc" , "Ascertains the size, of dances?" , "Determines the dimensions" , "amounts" , "Ascertains the quantity, extent etc." .)