intent1

[in-tent] /ɪnˈtɛnt/
noun
1.
something that is intended; purpose; design; intention:
The original intent of the committee was to raise funds.
2.
the act or fact of intending, as to do something:
criminal intent.
3.
Law. the state of a person's mind that directs his or her actions toward a specific object.
4.
meaning or significance.
Idioms
5.
to / for all intents and purposes, for all practical purposes; practically speaking; virtually:
The book is, to all intents and purposes, a duplication of earlier efforts.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English < Late Latin intentus an aim, purpose, Latin: a stretching out (inten(dere) to intend + -tus suffix of v. action); replacing Middle English entent(e) < Old French < Late Latin, as above
Can be confused
intense, intensive, intents.
Synonyms
1. See intention. 2. aim, plan, plot.
British Dictionary definitions for for all intents and purposes

intent

/ɪnˈtɛnt/
noun
1.
something that is intended; aim; purpose; design
2.
the act of intending
3.
(law) the will or purpose with which one does an act
4.
implicit meaning; connotation
5.
to all intents and purposes, for all practical purposes; virtually
adjective
6.
firmly fixed; determined; concentrated: an intent look
7.
(postpositive; usually foll by on or upon) having the fixed intention (of); directing one's mind or energy (to): intent on committing a crime
Derived Forms
intently, adverb
intentness, noun
Word Origin
C13 (in the sense: intention): from Late Latin intentus aim, intent, from Latin: a stretching out; see intend
Word Origin and History for for all intents and purposes

intent

n.

"purpose," early 13c., from Old French entente, from Latin intentus "a stretching out," in Late Latin "intention, attention," noun use of past participle of intendere "stretch out, lean toward, strain," literally "to stretch out" (see intend).

adj.

"very attentive," late 14c., from Latin intentus "attentive, eager, waiting, strained," past participle of intendere "to strain, stretch" (see intend). Related: Intently.

Idioms and Phrases with for all intents and purposes

for all intents and purposes

see: to all intents and purposes

intent

see: to all intents and purposes