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Purpose vs Message - What's the difference?

purpose | message |

In obsolete terms the difference between purpose and message

is that purpose is instance; example while message is to bear as a message.

As nouns the difference between purpose and message

is that purpose is an object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal while message is a communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed.

As verbs the difference between purpose and message

is that purpose is have set as one's purpose; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan while message is to send a message to; to transmit a message to, e.g. as text via a cell phone.

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

    *

    message

    English

    (message) (old-fashioned definitions)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed.
  • * Bible, Judges iii. 20
    • I have a message from God unto thee.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=4 , passage=No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or otherwise his man would be there with a message to say that his master would shortly join me if I would kindly wait.}}
  • An underlying theme or conclusion to be drawn from something.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-29, volume=407, issue=8842, page=55, magazine=(The Economist)
    • , title= Travels and travails , passage=Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message : America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.}}

    Usage notes

    In Ireland, Scotland and Northern England, messages (plural) can mean "groceries, shopping".

    Derived terms

    * instant message * text message

    Abbreviations

    * msg

    Verb

  • To send a message to; to transmit a message to, as text via a cell phone.
    • Just message me for directions.
    I messaged her about the concert.
  • To send (something) as a message; usually refers to electronic messaging.
    • She messaged me the information yesterday.
    Please message the final report by fax.
  • To send a message or messages; to be capable of sending messages.
    • We've implemented a new messaging service.
    The runaway computer program was messaging non-stop.
  • (obsolete) To bear as a message.

    • Synonyms

    * (send a text message to)

    See also

    * instant message * instant messaging * messenger * mission ----