Intent
[ɪn'tent] or [ɪn'tɛnt]
Definition
(a.) Closely directed; strictly attentive; bent; -- said of the mind, thoughts, etc.; as, a mind intent on self-improvement.
(a.) Having the mind closely directed to or bent on an object; sedulous; eager in pursuit of an object; -- formerly with to, but now with on; as, intent on business or pleasure.
(n.) The act of turning the mind toward an object; hence, a design; a purpose; intention; meaning; drift; aim.
Editor: Michel
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Eager, earnest, close, closely fixed, resolutely bent.
n. Design, purpose, intention, aim, end, meaning, drift, purport, object, scope, mark, purview.
Edited by Allison
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Eager, fixed, Urgent
ANT:Indifferent, diverted, distracted
Checker: Sumner
Definition
adj. having the mind bent on: fixed with close attention: diligently applied.—n. the thing aimed at or intended: a design: meaning.—n. Inten′tion a fixing of the mind on any object: fixed direction of mind: the object aimed at: design: purpose.—adjs. Inten′tional Inten′tioned with intention: intended: designed.—advs. Inten′tionally with intention; Intent′ly in an intent manner.—adj. Inten′tive (Bacon) attentive.—n. Intent′ness.—To all intents and purposes in every respect.—Well- (or Ill-) intentioned having good (or ill) designs.
Checked by Lemuel
Examples
- The cuttle-fish had a face that stared straight from the heart of the light, very fixed and coldly intent. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- And now her face became more intent. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- So when their report puts at its head that absolute annihilation of prostitution is the ultimate ideal, we may well translate it into the real intent of the Commission. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- His eyes are large, and grave, and gray; their expression is intent and meditative, rather searching than soft, rather thoughtful than genial. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- He is intent upon various new expenses,--horses, and carriages, and lavish appearances of all kinds. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- One beautiful evening, when the first shades of twilight were beginning to settle upon the earth, Oliver sat at this window, intent upon his books. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Bradley leaned his elbows on his knees, and his head upon his hands, and looked at the fire with a most intent abstraction. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- His eyes stood still, and settled into that former intent unmeaning stare. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- You are a little depressed, too, said madame, whose quick eyes had never been so intent on the accounts, but they had had a ray or two for him. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- If she lasts a couple of hours, I shall be surprised,' said the apothecary's apprentice, intent upon the toothpick's point. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Veneering pervades the legislative lobbies, intent upon entrapping his fellow-legislators to dinner. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- When I did at last turn my eyes in Wemmick's direction, I found that he had unposted his pen, and was intent upon the table before him. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- So intent upon your book? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- I was convinced, from his intent face and his purposeful manner, that at last he was upon a clue. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- After some cogitation, accompanied with an intent look at his patron, Mr. Cruncher conceived the luminous idea of replying, Agicultooral character. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Pure she was of soul, and all her intents were holy. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- You have settled it already, to all intents and purposes. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- We were born in the same year; consequently he is still a boy, while I am a woman--ten years his senior to all intents and purposes. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
Checker: Maryann