Purpose Definition
pûrpəs
purposed, purposes, purposing
noun
purposes
Something one intends to get or do; intention; aim.
Webster's New World
Resolution; determination.
Webster's New World
The object for which something exists or is done; end in view.
Webster's New World
A result that is desired; an intention.
Wiktionary
verb
purposed, purposes, purposing
To intend, resolve, or plan.
Webster's New World
idiom
on purpose
- Intentionally; deliberately.
American Heritage
to good purpose
- With good results.
American Heritage
to little
- With few or no results.
American Heritage
of set purpose
- with a specific end in view
- not accidentally; by design
Webster's New World
on purpose
- by design; intentionally
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Purpose
- on purpose
- to good purpose
- to little
- of set purpose
- on purpose
- to good purpose
- to little (or no) purpose
- to the purpose
Origin of Purpose
-
Middle English purpos from Anglo-Norman from purposer to intend pur- forth (from Latin prō- pro–1) poser to put pose1
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Middle English purpos, from Old French purposer (“to propose"), from Latin prō (“forth") + pausāre, present active infinitive of pausō (“halt, cease, pause").
From Wiktionary
-
From Middle English purposen, from Old French purposer (“to propose")
From Wiktionary
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