purpose

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“
M&S are testy — which they may have every right to be in light of the trials and tribulations of women — but their moody petulance does not lead to a winning, let alone diplomatic style, and their purpose is accordingly ill served.

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Definitions (34)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (8)

  1. noun The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal: "And ever those, who would enjoyment gain/Must find it in the purpose they pursue” (Sarah Josepha Hale).
  2. noun A result or effect that is intended or desired; an intention. See Synonyms at intention.
  3. noun Determination; resolution: He was a man of purpose.
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Examples

  • To this he answered that we might get through with it in less than a month, and that the most suitable locality for the purpose was the hill country of Norcia; —  The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini
  • Of very different value for our purpose is the third play, which within only two months appeared from a pen stimulated, presumably, by empty pockets. —  Henry Fielding A Memoir
  • Resolutions for this purpose were adopted, and an appeal made to the legislature to facilitate the collection of pamphlets and printed documents. —  Memoirs of 30 Years with the Indian Tribes on the American Frontiers
  • M&S are testy — which they may have every right to be in light of the trials and tribulations of women — but their moody petulance does not lead to a winning, let alone diplomatic style, and their purpose is accordingly ill served. —  VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol XV No 2
  • But my purpose is not to list my activities; rather it is to suggest that the documentation of others 'accomplishments is likely to be as sparse. —  VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol XI No 2
 

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Purpose has been looked up 304 times, favorited 0 times, listed 14 times, and commented on once.

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Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

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Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

method ·  mean ·  principle ·  reason ·  value ·  act
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English purpos, from Anglo-Norman, from purposer, to intend : pur-, forth (from Latin prō-; see pro-1) + poser, to put; see pose1.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. from Middle English purposen, from Old French purposer, variant of proposer, propose: see propose, of which purpose is a doublet. The verb should properly be accented on the last syllable (as in propose, compose, etc.), but it has conformed to the noun, which is wholly from the L. (see purpose, n.), whereas the verb (Old French purposer) is partly of different origin (see pose).
  2. from Middle English purpose, porpose, purpos, porpos; from Old French pourpos, purpose, porpos, a variant of propos, propost, French propos, a purpose, aim, end, from Latin propositum, a thing proposed or intended, neuter of propositus, past participle of proponere, set forth, place before: see propose, propound. Cf. purpose, v.
 

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/ˈprpəs/
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