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purpose
9 dictionary results for: purpose
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
pur·pose 
[pur-puhs] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -posed, -pos·ing.
[pur-puhs] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -posed, -pos·ing. –noun
–verb (used with object)
–verb (used without object)
—Idioms
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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; (n.) ME purpos < OF, deriv. of purposer, var. of proposer to propose; (v.) ME purposen < AF, OF purposer]
]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| pur·pose
(pûr'pəs) Pronunciation Key
n.
tr.v. pur·posed, pur·pos·ing, pur·pos·es To intend or resolve to perform or accomplish. [Middle English purpos, from Anglo-Norman, from purposer, to intend : pur-, forth (from Latin prō-; see pro-1) + poser, to put; see pose1.] |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
purpose
purpose
c.1290, 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 1590; earlier of purpose (1432).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| purpose | |
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" |
| 2. | what something is used for; "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?" [syn: function] |
| 3. | the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose; "his determination showed in his every movement"; "he is a man of purpose" [syn: determination] |
verb | |
| 1. | propose or intend; "I aim to arrive at noon" [syn: aim] |
| 2. | reach a decision; "he resolved never to drink again" |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: pur·pose
Pronunciation: 'p&r-p&s
Function: noun
: an objective, effect, or result aimed at or attained; specifically : the business activity in which a corporation is chartered to engage —pur·pose·ful /-f&l/ adjective —pur·pose·ful·ly adverb —pur·pose·ful·ness noun
Main Entry: pur·pose
Pronunciation: 'p&r-p&s
Function: noun
: an objective, effect, or result aimed at or attained; specifically : the business activity in which a corporation is chartered to engage —pur·pose·ful /-f&l/ adjective —pur·pose·ful·ly adverb —pur·pose·ful·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Purpose
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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Purpose
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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Purpose
Pur"pose\, v. i. To have a purpose or intention; to discourse. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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