purpose

Overview

Meaning Now

• The reason for which something is done, created, or exists; an aim or intention.
• A practical use, function, or intended result.
• Resolution or determination; a sense of meaningful direction.

Journey

Purpose belongs to the learned Latin-derived layer of English. After the Norman Conquest, Anglo-Norman and Old French supplied many words for law, governance, and abstract thought; purpose joined words such as propose and proposal. The Latin root ponere 'to put, place' also underlies compose, deposit, expose, impose, and position. In philosophy, purpose is tied to teleology, the study of ends or goals.

Evolution

1. Classical Latin (1st century BCE–2nd century CE)

   prōpositum

   “thing put forward, proposal, plan, intention”

   Neuter past participle of prōpōnere 'to put forth, propose'.

2. Old French (9th–13th centuries)

   porpos, pourpos

   “intention, purpose; proposal”

   From Latin prōpositum; Anglo-Norman forms pass into English.

3. Middle English (13th–14th centuries)

   purpos

   “intention, aim, resolution”

   Borrowed via Anglo-Norman/Old French; spelling varies.

4. Early Modern English (15th–17th centuries)

   purpose

   “intention, aim; practical use”

   Spelling stabilizes; verb use 'to intend' also appears.

5. Modern English (19th–21st centuries)

   purpose

   “aim, reason; function; determination”

   Common in compounds and idioms.

Connections

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Related to purpose

• proposition→
• ability→
• acc→