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definitions

intent

1
[ in-tent ]
/ ɪnˈtɛnt /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR intent ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something that is intended; purpose; design; intention: The original intent of the committee was to raise funds.
the act or fact of intending, as to do something: criminal intent.
Law. the state of a person's mind that directs his or her actions toward a specific object.
meaning or significance.

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RELATED WORDS

essentially, morally, approximately, virtually, nearly, basically, supposedly, officially, evidently, seemingly, superficially, practically, much, externally, about, fundamentally, most, nigh, well-nigh, outwardly

Nearby words

  1. intensity,
  2. intensive,
  3. intensive care,
  4. intensive care unit,
  5. intensively,
  6. intention,
  7. intention movement,
  8. intention spasm,
  9. intention tremor,
  10. intentional

Idioms

    to/for all intents and purposes, for all practical purposes; practically speaking; virtually: The book is, to all intents and purposes, a duplication of earlier efforts.

Origin of intent

1
1175–1225; Middle English < Late Latin intentus an aim, purpose, Latin: a stretching out (inten(dere) to intend + -tus suffix of v. action); replacing Middle English entent(e) < Old French < Late Latin, as above
SYNONYMS FOR intent
1 See intention.
2 aim, plan, plot.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR intent ON THESAURUS.COM
Can be confusedintense intensive intents
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for for all intents and purposes

intent

/ (ɪnˈtɛnt) /

noun

adjective

firmly fixed; determined; concentratedan intent look
(postpositive; usually foll by on or upon) having the fixed intention (of); directing one's mind or energy (to)intent on committing a crime
Derived Formsintently, adverbintentness, noun

Word Origin for intent

C13 (in the sense: intention): from Late Latin intentus aim, intent, from Latin: a stretching out; see intend
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with for all intents and purposes (1 of 2)

for all intents and purposes

see to all intents and purposes.

Idioms and Phrases with for all intents and purposes (2 of 2)

intent

see to all intents and purposes.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.