| Learning / English Dictionary |
INTENT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
Example:
he made no secret of his designs
Synonyms:
aim; design; intent; intention; purpose
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("intent" is a kind of...):
end; goal (the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "intent"):
idea; mind (your intention; what you intend to do)
cross-purpose (a contrary aim)
final cause ((philosophy) the end or purpose of a thing or process)
sake (the purpose of achieving or obtaining)
view (purpose; the phrase 'with a view to' means 'with the intention of' or 'for the purpose of')
will (a fixed and persistent intent or purpose)
Derivation:
intend (have in mind as a purpose)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The intended meaning of a communication
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("intent" is a kind of...):
import; meaning; significance; signification (the message that is intended or expressed or signified)
Derivation:
intend (mean or intend to express or convey)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Giving or marked by complete attention to
Example:
wrapped in thought
Synonyms:
absorbed; captive; engrossed; enwrapped; intent; wrapped
Classified under:
Similar:
attentive ((often followed by 'to') giving care or attention)
Derivation:
intentness (the quality of being intent and concentrated)
Context examples:
Administration of antibiotics with the intent of preventing bacterial infection.
(Antibiotic Prophylaxis, NCI Thesaurus)
He was standing there by night like one intent on doing evil.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
After a few minutes of entire silence between them, John Knightley began with—I never in my life saw a man more intent on being agreeable than Mr. Elton.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
The intent of the snarl is to warn or frighten, and judgment is required to know when it should be used.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
Maria joined them with the same intent, just then the stoutest of the three; for the very circumstance which had driven Julia away was to her the sweetest support.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Then Lord John threw a bundle of twigs upon the fire, and their red glare lit up the intent faces of my companions and flickered over the great boughs above our heads.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Any action or response, without curative intent, that mitigates some or all of the unpleasant effects of a disease or condition.
(Palliative, NCI Thesaurus)
The explanation of the intent of matrimony was gone through; and then the clergyman came a step further forward, and, bending slightly towards Mr. Rochester, went on.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
"Hum!" said Jo, still intent upon her sister's face, for the bright color faded as quickly as it came, the smile vanished, and presently a tear lay shining on the window ledge.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
The presence of an alteration in the ability to move one's body or any body parts in accordance with one's intent.
(Motor Manifestations, NCI Thesaurus)
