/ˈpɜ:pəs ||; ˈpɝpəs/noun1 [C] the aim or intention of sth 目的；意图: The main purpose of this meeting is to decide what we should do next. 这次会议的主要目的是要决定我们接下来应该做些什么。You may only use the telephone for business purposes. 这个电话只能用于公事。
2 purposes [pl] what is needed in a particular situation （某情况下）需要之物: For the purposes of this demonstration, I will use model cars. 为这次示范所需，我会使用模型汽车。
3 [U] a meaning or reason that is important to you 目标；意义: A good leader inspires people with a sense of purpose. 好的领导能激发人们朝着目标努力。
4 [U] the ability to plan sth and work hard to achieve it 意志（力）；决心: I was impressed by his strength of purpose. 他的意志力真叫我佩服。
to/for all intents and purposes→
INTENT²
on purpose not by accident; with a particular intention 故意；蓄意:
‘You've torn a page out of my book!’ ‘I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose.’ “我的书给你撕掉一页啦！”“对不起，我不是故意的。” [SYN] deliberately 同义词为deliberately