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Definition vs Purpose - What's the difference?

definition | purpose |

As nouns the difference between definition and purpose

is that definition is a statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol (dictionary definitions) while purpose is an object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal.

As a verb purpose is

have set as one's purpose; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.

definition

Noun

(en noun)
  • (semantics) A statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol (dictionary definitions).
  • A statement expressing the essential nature of something; formulation
  • The action or process of defining.
  • The act of defining; determination of the limits.
  • A product of defining.
  • The action or power of describing, explaining, or making definite and clear.
  • Her comic genius is beyond definition .
  • Clarity of visual presentation, distinctness of outline or detail.
  • The definition of a telescope.
    Improve the definition of an image.
  • Clarity, especially of musical sound in reproduction.
  • Sharp demarcation of outlines or limits.
  • A jacket with distinct waist definition .
  • (bodybuilding) The degree to which individual muscles are distinct on the body.
  • (programming) A statement which provides a previous declaration with a value or body of a subroutine (in the case of function).
  • (mathematics) A statement that establishes the referent of a term or notation.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * circular definition * conceptual definition * definition by example * definition by pointing * dictionary definition * enumerative definition * extensional definition * intensional definition * lexical definition * operational definition * ostensive definition * precising definition * recursive definition * stipulative definition * working definition

    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

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    Statistics

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