v. & n.
--v.tr.
1. profess; be intended to seem (purports to be the royal seal).
2 (often foll. by that + clause) (of a document or speech) have as its meaning; state.
--n.
1. the ostensible meaning of something.
2 the sense or tenor (of a document or statement).
Derivatives:
purportedly adv.
Etymology: ME f. AF & OF purport, porport f. purporter f. med.L proportare (as PRO-(1), portare carry)