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Purpose vs Advantage - What's the difference?

purpose | advantage |

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between purpose and advantage

is that purpose is (obsolete) instance; example while advantage is (obsolete) superiority; mastery; — used with of to specify its nature or with over to specify the other party.

In lang=en terms the difference between purpose and advantage

is that purpose is (passive ) designed for some purpose while advantage is to provide (someone) with an advantage, to give an edge to.

As nouns the difference between purpose and advantage

is that purpose is an object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal while advantage is any condition, circumstance, opportunity or means, particularly favorable to success, or to any desired end.

As verbs the difference between purpose and advantage

is that purpose is have set as one's purpose; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan while advantage is to provide (someone) with an advantage, to give an edge to.

purpose

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)
  • An object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author= Ed Pilkington
  • , volume=188, issue=26, page=6, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= ‘Killer robots’ should be banned in advance, UN told , passage=In his submission to the UN, [Christof] Heyns points to the experience of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles were intended initially only for surveillance, and their use for offensive purposes was prohibited, yet once strategists realised their perceived advantages as a means of carrying out targeted killings, all objections were swept out of the way.}}
  • A result that is desired; an intention.
  • The act of intending to do something; resolution; determination.
  • * 2013 , Phil McNulty, "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23830980]", BBC Sport , 1 September 2013:
  • United began with more purpose in the early phase of the second half and Liverpool were grateful for Glen Johnson's crucial block from Young's goalbound shot.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Sarah Glaz
  • , title= Ode to Prime Numbers , volume=101, issue=4, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Some poems, echoing the purpose of early poetic treatises on scientific principles, attempt to elucidate the mathematical concepts that underlie prime numbers. Others play with primes’ cultural associations. Still others derive their structure from mathematical patterns involving primes.}}
  • The subject of discourse; the point at issue.
  • (Spenser)
  • The reason for which something is done, or the reason it is done in a particular way.
  • The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.
  • (obsolete) Instance; example.
  • (rfquotek, L'Estrange)
    Synonyms
    * (target ): aim, goal, object, target * (intention ): aim, plan, intention * (determination ): determination, intention, resolution * (subject of discourse ): matter, subject, topic * (reason for doing something ): reason * See also
    Derived terms
    (terms derived from purpose) * all-purpose * common purpose * cross-purpose * fit for purpose * for all intents and purposes * game with a purpose * general-purpose * infinitive of purpose * multi-purpose * metapurpose * purpose-built * purposeful * purposeless * purpose-like * purpose loan * purposely * purpose statement * on purpose

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl)

    Verb

    (purpos)
  • Have set as one's purpose; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
  • * Macaulay
  • I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living.
  • (passive ) Designed for some purpose.
  • (obsolete) To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
  • (Spenser)
    Derived terms
    * purposed * purposer * purposive * on purpose
    Synonyms
    * (have set as one's purpose ): aim, intend, mean, plan, set out * (designed for some purpose ): intended

    References

    * * *

    Statistics

    *

    advantage

    English

    Alternative forms

    * advauntage (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Any condition, circumstance, opportunity or means, particularly favorable to success, or to any desired end.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author= Ed Pilkington
  • , volume=188, issue=26, page=6, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= ‘Killer robots’ should be banned in advance, UN told , passage=In his submission to the UN, [Christof] Heyns points to the experience of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles were intended initially only for surveillance, and their use for offensive purposes was prohibited, yet once strategists realised their perceived advantages as a means of carrying out targeted killings, all objections were swept out of the way.}}
  • * Shakespeare
  • Give me advantage of some brief discourse.
  • * Macaulay
  • the advantages of a close alliance
  • (obsolete) Superiority; mastery; — used with of to specify its nature or with over to specify the other party.
  • * Bible, 2 Corinthians ii. 11
  • Lest Satan should get an advantage of us.
  • Superiority of state, or that which gives it; benefit; gain; profit; as, the advantage of a good constitution.
  • (tennis) The score where one player wins a point after deuce but needs the next too to carry the game.
  • (soccer) The continuation of the game after a foul against the attacking team, because the attacking team are in a advantageous position.
  • * November 17 2012 , BBC Sport: Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham
  • Webb played an advantage that enabled Cazorla to supply a low cross from the left for Giroud to sweep home first time, despite Gallas and Vertonghen being in close attendance.
  • Interest of money; increase; overplus (as the thirteenth in the baker's dozen).
  • * Shakespeare
  • And with advantage means to pay thy love.

    Synonyms

    * foredeal, benefit, value, edge * vantage

    Antonyms

    * disadvantage, drawback

    Derived terms

    * advantage ground * advantageous * advantageously * advantageousness * have the advantage * take advantage

    Verb

    (advantag)
  • To provide (someone) with an advantage, to give an edge to.
  • (reflexive) To do something for one's own benefit; to take advantage of.
  • *, II.7:
  • No man of courage vouchsafeth to advantage himselfe of that which is common unto many.

    Usage notes

    * Some authorities object to the use of advantage as a verb meaning "to provide with an advantage".

    Synonyms

    * favor, favorise * benefit

    Derived terms

    * advantageable

    References

    * ----