Search Result for "purpose": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (3)

1. an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
- Example: "his intent was to provide a new translation"
- Example: "good intentions are not enough"
- Example: "it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs"
- Example: "he made no secret of his designs"
[syn: purpose, intent, intention, aim, design]

2. what something is used for;
- Example: "the function of an auger is to bore holes"
- Example: "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"
[syn: function, purpose, role, use]

3. the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose;
- Example: "his determination showed in his every movement"
- Example: "he is a man of purpose"
[syn: determination, purpose]


VERB (2)

1. propose or intend;
- Example: "I aim to arrive at noon"
[syn: aim, purpose, purport, propose]

2. reach a decision;
- Example: "he resolved never to drink again"
[syn: purpose, resolve]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.] [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Did nothing purpose against the state. -- Shak. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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. [1913 Webster] He will his firste purpos modify. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster] As my eternal purpose hath decreed. -- Milton. [1913 Webster] The flighty purpose never is o'ertook Unless the deed go with it. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Proposal to another; discourse. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster] 3. Instance; example. [Obs.] --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Syn: design; end; intention; aim. See Design. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Purpose \Pur"pose\, v. i. To have a purpose or intention; to discourse. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

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: purpose, 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, purpose, role, use] 3: 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" [syn: determination, purpose] v 1: propose or intend; "I aim to arrive at noon" [syn: aim, purpose, purport, propose] 2: reach a decision; "he resolved never to drink again" [syn: purpose, resolve]