purpose

noun

1. 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.

   In his submission to the UN, [Christof] Heyns points to the experience of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles were intended initially only for surveillance, and their use for offensive purposes was prohibited, yet once strategists realised their perceived advantages as a means of carrying out targeted killings, all objections were swept out of the way.

2. 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.

   Is it the purpose of mosquitoes to ultimately provide calories to large birds of prey?

3. 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.

   A sense of belonging helps to ground the individual by providing a particular way of being in the world which, in turn, helps individuals to make meaning of their life experiences and gives them a sense of purpose, including a sense of responsibility to the group to which one belongs.

   He wanted her to know that she gave him purpose, gave him the will to live after he lost Kaylah. He wanted her to know that, no, the diamond wasn't precious enough to symbolize how much he cherished her breath,[…]

4. 4

   Resolution; determination.

   […]purſued his vnneighbourly purpoſe in ſuch ſort: that hee being the ſtronger perſwader, and ſhe (belike) too credulous in beleeuing or elſe ouer-feeble in reſiſting, from priuate imparlance, they fell to action; and continued their cloſe fight a long while together, vnſeene and vvithout ſuſpition, no doubt to their equall ioy and contentment.

   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.

   Some poems, echoing the purpose of early poetic treatises on scientific principles, attempt to elucidate the mathematical concepts that underlie prime numbers. Others play with primes’ cultural associations. Still others derive their structure from mathematical patterns involving primes.

5. 5

   obsoleteThe 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[…]

   The duke was restless and thoughtful the whole evening, often changed the discourse; like an absent man; and abruptly, quite from the purpose; asked the marshal, "If in his military expeditions, he had ever undertaken any affair of consequence in the night."

   But now, forasmuch as you have stopt up a few shards in these your last tedious commentaries, though very hardly and quite from the purpose, […]

verb

1. 1

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

   1485 – Thomas Malory. Le Morte Darthur, Book X, Chapter xxxvi, leaf 235v Soo was Alysander purposed to ryde to london by the coūceille of sire Tristram to syre Launcelot / "So was Alisander purposed to ride to London, by the counsel of Sir Tristram, to Sir Launcelot."

   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.

   […] and because you look not to hear of your well-doing of man, I am purposed to pass it over with silence, and to give myself presently to that which is more profitable unto you; […]

2. 2

   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;[…]

3. 3

   obsoleteTo discourse.

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

   Wherein, as yee heape vp the names of a number of men not vnworthy to bee had in honour; ſo there are a number whom when yee mention, although it ſerue yee to purpoſe with the ignorant and vulgar ſort, who meaſure by tale and not by waight, yet ſurely they who know what qualitie and value the men are of, will thinke yee drawe very neare the dregs.

Forms

plural

purposes

past tense

purposed

past participle

purposed

present participle

purposing

third person singular

purposes