ə̇n.ˈtend verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Latin in- in- (II)) of Middle English entenden, from Old French entendre, from Late Latin intendere, from Latin, to intend, attend, stretch out, extend, from in- in- (II) + tendere to stretch, stretch out — more at tend
transitive verb
1.
a. archaic : to understand or construe in a certain manner : apprehend , interpret
b.
(1) : signify , mean
what was intended by that remark
by teleology is intended the purposefulness of nature
(2) : to have in mind : have reference to : refer to
this tavern I think must have been the one intended … in his novel — Notes & Queries
2.
a.
[Middle English intenden, entenden, from Middle French entendre, from Latin intendere ]
(1) : to have in mind as a design or purpose : plan
intends to do all in his power
intend not to retrace the march of occupation in detail — Russell Lord
(2) : to have in mind as an object to be gained or achieved
intends that general opulence to which it gives occasion — Adam Smith
intended the advantage of a great number of people — H.E.Scudder
intends only his own advancement
b. : to design for or destine to a specified purpose or future
the engravings are not intended for sale — Mary Zimmer
intended him to be the next president
3. archaic : to proceed on (one's course or way)
4.
[Middle English intenden, entenden, from Latin intendere ]
archaic
a. : to direct the mind on : attend to : take care of
intends his brother's will — George Chapman
b. : to direct (the eyes) toward something
5. obsolete : assert , maintain : pretend
6. archaic : to stretch out or forth : make tense : extend , stretch
intransitive verb
1.
[Middle English entenden, from Middle French entendre ]
: to have an aim or end in mind
none of our first plans … could be carried out as we intended — R.L.Stevenson
2. archaic
a.
[Middle English intenden, entenden, from Latin intendere ]
: to direct one's course or way : proceed
b. : to start or set out : intend to go or set out
Synonyms:
intend , mean , design , propose , and purpose can mean to have in mind as an end, aim, or function. intend implies that the mind is directed to some definite accomplishment or end, often with determination
intended 24 books, sketched 14, but left only four — Gilbert Highet
did not intend annexation of Italian land — Hilaire Belloc
or that, in the mind, one conceives a thing as in a particular occupation or function, serving a given purpose, or carrying a particular meaning
the volume was intended for reading in the public schools — Agnes Repplier
was intended for the church — L.O.Howard
the five- and six-year courses are intended for pupils likely to proceed to the university — H.C.Dent
the meaning of the phrase was not what the writers intended
mean can come close to the sense of intend though it carries a weaker implication of determination, often indicating little more than volition or decision
mean to pay back a debt
put something to a use for which it was not meant
mean to go to the movies tonight
design usually stresses forethought in arriving at an intention, often implying contriving or scheming
designs a companion volume in which she will carry further her discussion — Marjorie Nicolson
plans we had designed to put into effect immediately
putting a machine to uses for which it was not designed
have no protection against designing and dishonest people
propose implies a clear setting forth, in the mind or before others, of one's intention, connoting clear definition or open avowal
proposed to live as if the golden age had come again — Van Wyck Brooks
proposes to give a summary of titles at the end of the work — H.O.Taylor
proposed to carry out the preposterous plan — Lamp
the plan turned out better than he had proposed at the committee meeting
purpose differs little from propose except in implying a stronger determination or clearer intent
purpose staying there about a month — Mary W. Shelley
purpose to arrange a typical program in this chapter — W.F.Brown b.1903
purpose to write a history of England — T.B.Macaulay