Pronunciation: ' p ə r-p ə -siv, ( ˌ )p ə r- ' p ō -
Function: adjective
Date: 1849
1 : serving or effecting a useful function though not as a result of planning or design
2 : having or tending to fulfill a conscious purpose or design : PURPOSEFUL
– pur · po · sive · ly adverb
– pur · po · sive · ness noun