purpose : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: purpose	by the DICT Development Group
4 results for purpose
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
purpose n 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" Synonym(s): purpose, intent, intention, aim, design what something is used for; "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?" Synonym(s): function, purpose, role, use 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" Synonym(s): determination, purpose v propose or intend; "I aim to arrive at noon" [syn: aim, purpose, purport, propose] reach a decision; "he resolved never to drink again" Synonym(s): purpose, resolve
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Purpose \Pur"pose\, v. i. To have a purpose or intention; to discourse. [Obs.] --Spenser.
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. 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.