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Entry 6 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Purpose

/pẽrp'-əs/ · Pur·pose · IPA /ˈpɝpəs/
01 n. 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 pla…
  1. 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; view; aim; design; intention; plan.
    “He will his firste purpos modify.” — Chaucer.
    “As my eternal purpose hath decreed.” — Milton.
    “The flighty purpose never is o'ertook Unless the deed go with it.” — Shak.
  2. 2.
    Proposal to another; discourse.[Obs.]
  3. 3.
    Instance; example.[Obs.]
Phrases & compounds
In purpose — with previous design; with the mind directed to that object; intentionally. On purpose is the form now generally used.
Syn. design; end; intention; aim. See Design.
02 v. t. To set forth; to bring forward.
imp. & p. p. Purposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Purposing
  1. 1.
    To set forth; to bring forward.[Obs.]
  2. 2.
    To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve; -- often followed by an infinitive or dependent clause.
    “Did nothing purpose against the state.” — Shak.
    “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.
03 v. i. To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
  1. 1.
    To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.[Obs.]