Hypertext Webster Gateway: "purpose"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Purpose \Pur"pose\, v. i.
To have a purpose or intention; to discourse. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
purpose
n 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" [syn: {intent},
{intention}, {aim}, {design}]
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}, {role}, {use}]
3: the quality of being determined to do or achieve something;
"his determination showed in his every movement"; "he is a
man of purpose" [syn: {determination}]
v 1: propose or intend; "I aim to arrive at noon" [syn: {aim}, {purport},
{propose}]
2: reach a decision; "he resolved never to drink again" [syn: {resolve}]
Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup
Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents;
see the Webster Gateway FAQ,
and also the Back-end/database links and credits.