Purpose | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Pär'pōse, n.

noun

n. [O. Fr. purpos, pourpos, propos, It. & Sp. proposito, Lat. propositum. See PROPOSE.]

Sense 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; end, or, the view itself; design; intention. “As my eternal purpose hath decreed.” Milton.

The flighty purpose never is o’ertook Unless the deed go with it. Shak.

Yet I doubt not through the ages one increasing purpose runs, And the thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns. Tennyson.

Sense 2. Proposal to another; discourse. [Obs.]

She purpose made of love. Spenser.

Fair, seemly pleasance each to other make, With goodly purpose there as they sit. Spenser.

Sense 3. Instance; example. [Obs.]

Of purpose, on purpose, with previous design; with the mind directed to that object. On purpose is more generally used; but the true phrase is of purpose.

Synonyms—Design; end; intention; aim. See DESIGN.

Pŭr'pōse, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. PURPOSED (pûr'post); p. pr. & vb. n. PURPOSING.] [O. Fr. purposer, proposer. See supra.]

To set forth; to bring forward. [Obs.]
To determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve. “Did nothing purpose against the state.” Shak.

Pär'pöse, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. 1. To design; to intend; to mean.

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.

Sense 2. To discourse; to converse. [Obs.] Spencer.