— intentionless , adj.
/in ten"sheuhn/ , n.
1. an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.
2. the end or object intended; purpose.
3. intentions ,
a. purpose or attitude toward the effect of one's actions or conduct: a bungler with good intentions.
b. purpose or attitude with respect to marriage: Our friends are beginning to ask what our intentions are.
4. the act or fact of intending.
5. Logic.
a. Also called first intention, primary intention . reference by signs, concepts, etc., to concrete things, their properties, classes, or the relationships among them.
b. Also called second intention, secondary intention . reference to properties, classes, or the relationships among first intentions.
6. Surg. , Med. a manner or process of healing, as in the healing of a lesion or fracture without granulation (healing by first intention) or the healing of a wound by granulation after suppuration (healing by second intention) .
7. meaning or significance: The intention of his words was clear.
8. the person or thing meant to benefit from a prayer or religious offering.
9. Archaic. intentness.
[ 1300-50; ME intencio ( u ) n intention- (s. of intentio ). See INTENT 2 , -ION ]
Syn. 2. goal. INTENTION, INTENT, PURPOSE all refer to a wish that one means to carry out. INTENTION is the general word: His intention is good. INTENT is chiefly legal or literary: attack with intent to kill. PURPOSE implies having a goal or determination to achieve something: Her strong sense of purpose is reflected in her studies.