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purpose

noun
/ˈpɝpəs/US/ˈpɜːpəs/UK/ˈpɜ.pəs/

Etymology

From Middle English purpos, from Old French purposer (“to propose”) (with conjugation altered based on poser), from Latin prō- (“forth”) + pōnere (“place, put”), hence Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere. By surface analysis, pur- + pose (“halt, pause, put, place”).

  1. derived from propono
  2. derived from prō-
  3. derived from purposer
  4. inherited from purpos

Definitions

  1. The end for which something is done, is made or exists.

    • What is the purpose of your visit?
    • The device can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

  2. Function, role.

    • The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.
    • The purpose of the gall-bladder is obviously to permit the accumulation of bile, when it is not wanted in the intestine; and we find it most constantly present in those tribes of animals, which live upon animal food
    • As with all life forms, the sole purpose of a virus is to ensure reproduction in kind.

  3. meaning for existing or doing something.

    • Before being hospitalized, Thea filled her days with work that gave her life purpose. Whether it was teaching, writing, or investing in relationships, Thea was busily and actively engaged in activity that she could feel good about.
    • This place gave him purpose, gave him joy. It was both his life and his lifeline and she was both thrilled and relieved that he'd recovered enough to be able to maintain the place.
  4. ›+ 5 more definitions

    1. Resolution

      Resolution; determination.

      • Perhaps you have heard that there was once some purpose of marriage between the Duc de Joyeuse and myself; it is of that which I have to tell.
      • United began with more purpose in the early phase of the second half and Liverpool were grateful for Glen Johnson's crucial block from Young's goalbound shot.

    2. The subject of discourse

      The subject of discourse; the point at issue.

      • […]he was woont to ſpeake plaine, and to the purpoſe (like an honeſt man and a ſouldier) […]
      • The speech he made was so little to the purpose, that I shall not trouble my Readers with an account of it; and I believe was not so much designed by the Knight himself to inform the Court, as to give him a figure in my eye[…]

    3. To have or set as one's purpose or aim

      To have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.

      • Our gracious Ancestors, however, purposed Nothing, against these their ancient and implacable Enemies, save what was necessary and indispensable, with respect to their own Preservation.
      • 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.

    4. To have (an) intention, purpose, or design

      To have (an) intention, purpose, or design; to intend; to mean.

      • Upon my ſoul, / You may beleeve him: nor did he ere purpoſe / To me but nobly;[…]

    5. To discourse.

      • Whom ouertaking, ſhe in merry ſort Them gan to bord, and purpoſe diuerſly,[…]

The neighborhood

Derived

all-purpose, all-purpose flour, apurpose, by-purpose, cross purpose, cross-purpose, dative of purpose, defeat the purpose, dispurpose, dual-purpose, fit for purpose, for all intents and purposes, forepurpose, game with a purpose, general-purpose, infinitive of purpose, mispurpose, multipurpose, multi-purpose, purpose-built, purposeful, purposeless, purpose-like, purposelike, purpose loan, purposely, purpose-made, purpose statement, repurpose, special-purpose, special-purpose entity, special-purpose vehicle, subpurpose, the purpose of a system is what it does, to no purpose, to the purpose, unpurpose, on purpose, purposive, purposed · +1 more

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for purpose. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA