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| pur·pose [ púrpəss ] |
noun (plural pur·pos·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. reason for existence: the reason for which something exists or for which it has been done or made
  the purpose of life
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2. desired effect: the goal or intended outcome of something
The purpose of the law is to control pollution.
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3. determination: the desire or the resolve necessary to accomplish a goal
You need to act with purpose.
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transitive verb (past and past participle pur·posed, present participle pur·pos·ing, 3rd person present singular pur·pos·es) |
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| Definition: |
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set something as goal: to intend or determine to do something
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| [13th century. < Old French purpos< purposer "intend," alteration (influenced by poser "put") of Latin proponere "put forward"] |
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| pur·pose·less adjective |
| pur·pose·less·ly adverb |
| pur·pose·less·ness noun |
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be at cross purposes
1. to be talking about different things and so be involved in a misunderstanding
2. in conflict with somebody else or each other, when cooperation is needed
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on purpose deliberately
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to good purpose successfully, or with good results (formal)
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to little or no purpose without success or achieving useful results (formal)
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