Meaning of PURPOSE
| Pronunciation: | | 'purpus
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 WordNet Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | |
- [n] the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; "his determination showed in his every movement"; "he is a man of purpose"
- [n] what something is used for; "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"
- [n] an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions; "his intent was to provide a new translation"; "good intentions are not enough"; "it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs"; "he made no secret of his designs"
- [v] reach a decision; "he resolved never to drink again"
- [v] propose or intend; "I aim to arrive at noon"
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| | Synonyms: | | aim, aim, design, determination, function, intent, intention, propose, purport, resolve, role, use |
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| | See Also: | | cross-purpose, decide, determine, diligence, doggedness, end, firmness, goal, idea, indefatigability, indefatigableness, industriousness, industry, intend, make up one's mind, mean, mind, perseverance, persistence, persistency, pertinacity, raison d'etre, resoluteness, resolution, resolve, sake, tenaciousness, tenacity, think, tirelessness, usefulness, utility, view, will | |
| Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | |
\Pur"pose\, n. [OF. purpos, pourpos, propos, L.
propositum. See {Propound}.]
1. That which a person sets before himself as an object to be
reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view
is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim;
design; intention; plan.
He will his firste purpos modify. --Chaucer.
As my eternal purpose hath decreed. -- Milton.
The flighty purpose never is o'ertook Unless the
deed go with it. --Shak.
2. Proposal to another; discourse. [Obs.] --Spenser.
3. Instance; example. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.
{In purpose}, {Of purpose}, {On purpose}, with previous
design; with the mind directed to that object;
intentionally. On purpose is the form now generally used.
Syn: design; end; intention; aim. See {Design}.
\Pur"pose\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Purposed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Purposing}.] [OF. purposer, proposer. See {Propose}.]
1. To set forth; to bring forward. [Obs.]
2. To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon,
as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to
design; to resolve; -- often followed by an infinitive or
dependent clause. --Chaucer.
Did nothing purpose against the state. -- Shak.
I purpose to write the history of England from the
accession of King James the Second down to a time
which is within the memory of men still living.
--Macaulay.
\Pur"pose\, v. i.
To have a purpose or intention; to discourse. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
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