purpose

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The reason why something is done or made.

   What is the purpose of your visit?

2. 2
   noun

   A feeling that your life has meaning and direction.

   Helping others gave her life a real sense of purpose.

3. 3
   noun

   The job or role that something does.

   The small table served the purpose of a desk very well.

4. 4
   verb

   To intend or plan to do something.

   He purposed to finish the project before the holidays.

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”).

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