the object for which something exists or is done
the reason or intention underlying some action
resolution or determination
Patience and tenacity of purpose are worth more than twice their weight of cleverness — Thomas Huxley
use, value, or advantage
You mean we've done all this work to no purpose?
on purpose
with intent; intentionally
to the purpose
relevant
purposeless adj
[Middle English from Old French purpos, from purposer to purpose, from Latin proponere: see propound]