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purpose

[pur-puh

Origin

noun

the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

determination; resoluteness.

the subject in hand; the point at issue.

practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.

verb (used with object)

to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.

to intend; design.

to resolve (to do something): He purposed to change his way of life radically.

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Purpose is one of our favorite verbs.

So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:

to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.

to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.

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verb (used without object)

to have a purpose.

Idioms

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

Related forms

pre·pur·pose, verb (used with object), -posed, -pos·ing.

re·pur·pose, verb (used with object), -posed, -pos·ing.

un·pur·posed, adjective

un·pur·pos·ing, adjective

Synonyms
1. object, point, rationale. See intention. 7. mean, contemplate, plan.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Collins

World English Dictionary

purpose (ˈpɜːpəs)

—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.).

American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

purpose

see at cross purposes; for all intents and purposes; on purpose; serve a purpose; to good purpose; to little or no purpose.