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Definition of purpose - 8 dictionary results
pur⋅pose
[pur-puh
s]
noun, verb, -posed, -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. |
–verb (used without object)
—Idioms| 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
1250–1300; (n.) ME purpos < OF, deriv. of purposer, var. of proposer to propose; (v.) ME purposen < AF, OF purposer

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To purpose
pur·pose (pûr'pəs) n.
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.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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.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.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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Language Translation for : purpose
Spanish:
propósito,fin; razón,
German:
der Zweck,
Japanese:
目的
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
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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.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.

