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Intent vs Intensity - What's the difference?

intent | intensity |

As nouns the difference between intent and intensity

is that intent is a purpose; something that is intended while intensity is the quality of being intense.

As an adjective intent

is firmly fixed or concentrated on something.

intent

English

Alternative forms

* entent (obsolete)

Noun

  • A purpose; something that is intended.
  • (legal) The state of someone’s mind at the time of committing an offence.

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Firmly fixed or concentrated on something.
  • :
  • *2014 , Daniel Taylor, " World Cup 2014: Uruguay sink England as Suárez makes his mark," guardian.co.uk , 20 June:
  • *:Uruguay were quick to the ball, strong in the tackle and seemed intent on showing they were a better team than had been apparent in their defeat to Costa Rica.
  • *
  • *:And it was while all were passionately intent upon the pleasing and snake-like progress of their uncle that a young girl in furs, ascending the stairs two at a time, peeped perfunctorily into the nursery as she passed the hallway—and halted amazed.
  • Engrossed.
  • Unwavering from a course of action.

    • Related terms

    * for all intents and purposes * intend * intense * intention * intensive * intent on * intently * to all intents and purposes * with intent

    intensity

    English

    Noun

    (intensities)
  • the quality of being intense
  • the degree of strength
  • (physics) time-averaged energy flux (the ratio of average power to the area through which the power "flows"); irradiance
  • (optics) can mean any of radiant intensity, luminous intensity or irradiance
  • (astronomy) syn. radiance
  • (geology) The severity of an earthquake in terms of its effects on the earth's surface, and buildings. The value depends on the distance from the epicentre, and is not to be confused with the magnitude.