pur·pose

[pur-puhs] noun, verb, pur·posed, pur·pos·ing.
noun
1.
the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
2.
an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.
3.
determination; resoluteness.
4.
the subject in hand; the point at issue.
5.
practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.
verb (used with object)
6.
to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.
7.
to intend; design.
8.
to resolve (to do something): He purposed to change his way of life radically.
00:10
Purpose is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
to run away hurriedly; flee.
to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.
verb (used without object)
9.
to have a purpose.
10.
on purpose, by design; intentionally: How could you do such a thing on purpose?
11.
to the purpose, relevant; to the point: Her objections were not to the purpose.

Origin:
1250–1300; (noun) Middle English purpos < Old French, derivative of purposer, variant of proposer to propose; (v.) Middle English purposen < Anglo-French, Old French purposer

pre·pur·pose, verb (used with object), pre·pur·posed, pre·pur·pos·ing.
re·pur·pose, verb (used with object), re·pur·posed, re·pur·pos·ing.
un·pur·posed, adjective
un·pur·pos·ing, adjective


1. object, point, rationale. See intention. 7. mean, contemplate, plan.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
purpose (ˈpɜːpəs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  the reason for which anything is done, created, or exists
2.  a fixed design, outcome, or idea that is the object of an action or other effort
3.  fixed intention in doing something; determination: a man of purpose
4.  practical advantage or use: to work to good purpose
5.  that which is relevant or under consideration (esp in the phrase to or from the purpose)
6.  archaic purport
7.  on purpose intentionally
 
vb
8.  to intend or determine to do (something)
 
[C13: from Old French porpos, from porposer to plan, from Latin prōpōnere to propose]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

purpose
late 13c., from O.Fr. porpos "aim, intention" (12c.), from porposer "to put forth," from por- "forth" (from L. pro- "forth") + O.Fr. poser "to put, place" (see pose). On purpose "by design" is attested from 1580s; earlier of purpose (early 15c.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences
That's why the purpose of my films is not to preach, but to look at things from
  the local point of view, in the local language.
There is little actual religious purpose or meaning to them now.
Paying off the debt implies the sort of resolve and collective purpose that
  they lack.
The purpose of writing papers is to convey a message.
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