purpose English · revision 2824

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1290|origins=la pōnō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈpɜː.pəs/, US /ˈpɝː.pəs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|purpos]], porpos,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|xno|purpos|t=aim, intention]], Old French porpos,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from porposer “to put forth”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|fro|por-|t=forth]], from Latin [[m|la|prō-]], and [[m|fro|poser|t=to put, place]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source of [[pose]], influenced by the perfect stem prōpos- of [[m|la|prōpōnere|t=to put forward]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Collegiate) It is the equivalent of Latin prōpositum “a thing proposed”, but formed in French from the same elements.^(Etymonline) Old French porposer was a variant of proposer, the source of [[propose]].^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002) The verb is from Anglo-French purposer.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ That which one sets out to do, an aim or intention: about 1290 in the OED,^(OED 1989) about 1300 in Barnhart and Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Intention in general, without an object, is from about 1315,^(OED 1989) and the object for which something exists or is made from 1390.^(OED 1989) From the mid-14th century it was also the theme of a discourse, the matter in hand, as against digressions,^(Etymonline) hence ''to the purpose'', “relevant”, from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) Middle English also used it for a proposition, a question or a riddle.^(OED 1989) ''On purpose'', “by design”, is from the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986) The verb first meant “to put forward for consideration” (1292),^(OED 1989) then “to state, set forth” (about 1380, in Chaucer's ''Boece'') and “to intend” (about 1384).^(Barnhart 1988) According to the ''Century Dictionary'' the verb should be stressed on the last syllable, like ''propose'', but has followed the noun.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1290 – an aim, intention.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1292 – verb, to put forward.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1384 – verb, to intend.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1390 – the object for which something exists.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – ''to the purpose''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 16th century – ''on purpose''.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The reason for which something exists or is done; an [[aim]] or [[goal]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An intended result; an [[intention]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Determination; [[resolution]]: ''a sense of purpose''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The matter in hand: ''to the purpose''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(formal)'' To intend or resolve to do something.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[multipurpose]]

+ * [[all-purpose]]

+ * [[cross-purpose]]

+ * [[general-purpose]]

+ * [[purpose-built]]

+ * [[purposeful]]

+ * [[purposeless]]

+ * [[purposely]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[propose]]

+ * [[pose]]

+ * [[proposition]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}