verb , noun
■ verb
/ pəˈpɔːt; NAmE pərˈpɔːrt/ [ v to inf ] ( formal ) to claim to be sth or to have done sth, when this may not be true
SYN profess :
The book does not purport to be a complete history of the period.
■ noun
/ ˈpɜːpɔːt; NAmE ˈpɜːrpɔːrt/ [ sing. ] the ~ of sth ( formal ) the general meaning of sth
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense express, signify ): from Old French purporter , from medieval Latin proportare , from Latin pro- forth + portare carry, bear. The sense appear to be dates from the late 18th cent.