ETYM Old Eng. entent, entente, attention, purpose, Old Fren. entente, French entente understanding, meaning; a participial noun, from French and Old Fren. entendre. Related to Intend.
The intended meaning of a communication; SYN. purport, spirit.

ETYM French intention, Latin intentio. Related to Intend, Intension.
(Usually plural) The goal with respect to a marriage proposal.

1. The idea that is intended; SYN. sense, substance.
2. The message that is intended or expressed; SYN. significance, signification, import.
What is meant by words or things. In the philosophy of language, there are various theories about the meaning of words and sentences; for example, that a meaningful proposition must be possible to check (verifiability). When things (or life itself) have meaning, it is because we understand them (“Clouds mean rain”) or they have significance (“This ring means a lot to me”).
Perhaps the most influential theory of meaning is German philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein's use theory, which states that the meaning of a word or expression is to be found in its use. For Wittgenstein, the meaning of a word or sentence is not subjective and private but public, because it requires social conventions for its use.

ETYM Old Fren. purpos, pourpos, propos, Latin propositum. Related to Propound.
An anticipated outcome that is intended or guides one's planned actions; SYN. intent, intention, aim, design.