I. ˈpər-ˌpȯrt noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, content, tenor, from purporter to carry, mean, purport, from pur- thoroughly + porter to carry — more at purchase , port
Date: 15th century
: meaning conveyed, professed, or implied : import ; also : substance , gist
II. (ˌ)pər-ˈpȯrt transitive verb
Date: 15th century
1. : to have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming (something implied or inferred)
a book that purport s to be an objective analysis
also : claim
foreign novels which he purport s to have translated — Mary McCarthy
2. : intend , purpose