to all intents and purposes

in·tent   (ĭn-těnt')    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.

Main Entry: in·tent
Pronunciation: in-'tent
Function: noun
1 : the act or fact of intending: as a : the design or purpose to commit a wrongful or criminal act called also criminal intent —compare KNOWLEDGE, MENS REA, MOTIVE, NEGLIGENCE b : the purpose to commit a tortious act having consequences that the actor desires and believes or knows will occur

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constructive intent
: intent that is inferred to exist (as from willfulness or recklessness) in relation to an act

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criminal intent
: INTENT 1a

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general intent
: intent to perform an illegal act without the desire for further consequences or a precise result general intent to assault but not to kill>

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specific intent
: intent to perform an illegal act with the knowledge or purpose that particular results will or may ensue specific intent to kill>

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trans·ferred intent
1 : intent attributed to a person who intends to cause another harm when the harm is accidentally inflicted on an unintended victim
2 : a doctrine in tort and criminal law: a wrongdoer who causes harm to a person other than the one intended may nevertheless be held to have intended the harmful result
2 a : INTENDMENT —see also LEGISLATIVE INTENT b : the purpose of a document (as a contract or will) c : the aim or goal of a person in creating a document or taking an action intent> intent of the contracting parties implied by their language> —see also ORIGINAL INTENT—with intent : with the intent to commit another sometimes specified crime with intent to commit theft therein> with intent>

to all intents and purposes

Also, for all intents and purposes; for all practical purposes. In every practical sense, virtually. For example, For all intents and purposes the case is closed, or For all practical purposes the Vice-President is the chief executive while the President is in the hospital. The first phrase, dating from the 1500s, originated in English law, where it was to all intents, constructions, and purposes. A shorter synonym is in effect, def. 1.