intent definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms

aim, ambition, design, end, goal, mark, meaning, object, objective, point, purpose, target

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Nearby Entries

intent - 8 dictionary results

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in⋅tent

1 [in-tent]

–noun

1.	something that is intended; purpose; design; intention: The original intent of the committee was to raise funds.

2.	the act or fact of intending, as to do something: criminal intent.

3.	Law. the state of a person's mind that directs his or her actions toward a specific object.

4.	meaning or significance.

—Idiom

5.	to or for all intents and purposes, for all practical purposes; practically speaking; virtually: The book is, to all intents and purposes, a duplication of earlier efforts.

Origin:
1175–1225; ME < LL intentus an aim, purpose, L: a stretching out (inten(dere) to intend + -tus suffix of v. action); r. ME entent(e) < OF < LL, as above

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Language Translation for : intent

Spanish:

decidido, resuelto, que tiene intención de,

German:

versessen,

Japanese:

～のつもり

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in⋅tent

2 [in-tent]

–adjective

1.	firmly or steadfastly fixed or directed, as the eyes or mind: an intent gaze.

2.	having the attention sharply focused or fixed on something: intent on one's job.

3.	determined or resolved; having the mind or will fixed on some goal: intent on revenge.

4.	earnest; intense: an intent person.

Origin:
1600–10; < L intentus taut, intent, ptp. of intendere to intend; cf. intense

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source

in·tent (ĭn-těnt') Pronunciation Key
n.

Something that is intended; an aim or purpose. See Synonyms at intention.
Law The state of one's mind at the time one carries out an action.
Meaning; purport.

adj.

Firmly fixed; concentrated: an intent gaze.
Having the attention applied; engrossed: The students, intent upon their books, did not hear me enter the room.
Having the mind and will focused on a specific purpose: was intent on leaving within the hour; are intent upon being recognized.

[Middle English entent, from Old French, from Medieval Latin intentus, from Latin, an extending, from intentus, attentive to, strained, from past participle of intendere, to direct attention; see intend.]

in·tent'ly adv., in·tent'ness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

intent (n.)

"purpose," c.1225, from O.Fr. entente, from L.L. intentus "attention," from L. intentus (fem. intentia), pp. of intendere "stretch out, lean toward, strain," lit. "stretched out" (see intend). Intentionally "on purpose" is from 1661.

intent (adj.)

"very attentive," 1606, from L. intentus "attentive, eager, strained," pp. of intendere "to strain, stretch" (see intend).

intent
adjective
1.	giving or marked by complete attention to; "that engrossed look or rapt delight"; "then wrapped in dreams"; "so intent on this fantastic...narrative that she hardly stirred"- Walter de la Mare; "rapt with wonder"; "wrapped in thought" [syn: captive]
noun
1.	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" [syn: purpose]
2.	the intended meaning of a communication

Intent

In*tense"\, a. [L. intensus stretched, tight, p. p. of intendere to stretch: cf. F. intense. See Intend, and cf. Intent, and cf. Intent, a.]

1. Strained; tightly drawn; kept on the stretch; strict; very close or earnest; as, intense study or application; intense thought.

2. Extreme in degree; excessive; immoderate; as: (a) Ardent; fervent; as, intense heat. (b) Keen; biting; as, intense cold. (c) Vehement; earnest; exceedingly strong; as, intense passion or hate. (d) Very severe; violent; as, intense pain or anguish. (e) Deep; strong; brilliant; as, intense color or light.

In this intense seclusion of the forest. --Hawthorne.

Intent

In*tense"\, a. [L. intensus stretched, tight, p. p. of intendere to stretch: cf. F. intense. See Intend, and cf. Intent, and cf. Intent, a.]

1. Strained; tightly drawn; kept on the stretch; strict; very close or earnest; as, intense study or application; intense thought.

In this intense seclusion of the forest. --Hawthorne.