intent — intention or purpose
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: intention or purpose
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪnˈtent/
Example Sentences
- The cat's intent stare at the fish bowl made everyone nervous.
- I bought a treadmill with good intent, but it became an expensive clothes hanger.
- The company's intent is to reduce carbon emissions by 50%.
intent
NOUN[/ɪnˈtent/]
intention or purpose
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin intentus, the past participle of intendere, meaning 'to stretch toward' or 'to direct the mind toward.' The word originally conveyed the image of the mind stretching or reaching toward a specific purpose, similar to an arrow flying toward its target.
Breakdown
in- (toward) + tendere (to stretch, extend) = intentus (stretched toward, directed). The English noun 'intent' derives from this Latin participle, preserving the sense of purposeful direction or focused aim.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The cat's intent stare at the fish bowl made everyone nervous.”
“I bought a treadmill with good intent, but it became an expensive clothes hanger.”
“The company's intent is to reduce carbon emissions by 50%.”
“She was so intent on her book that she missed her subway stop.”
📚Related Words
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