INTENTION • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Intention

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/ɪntˈɛntʃən/ Listen

noun

Intention n.

1.

A stretching or bending of the mind toward an object; closeness of application; fixedness of attention; earnestness. "Intention is when the mind, with great earnestness, and of choice, fixes its view on any idea."

2.

A determination to act in a certain way or to do a certain thing; purpose; design; as, an intention to go to New York. "Hell is paved with good intentions."

3.

The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim. "In (chronical distempers), the principal intention is to restore the tone of the solid parts."

4.

The state of being strained. See Intension. (Obs.)

5.

(Logic) Any mental apprehension of an object.

First intention (Logic), a conception of a thing formed by the first or direct application of the mind to the individual object; an idea or image; as, man, stone.

Second intention (Logic), a conception generalized from first intuition or apprehension already formed by the mind; an abstract notion; especially, a classified notion, as species, genus, whiteness.

To heal by the first intention (Surg.), to cicatrize, as a wound, without suppuration.

To heal by the second intention (Surg.), to unite after suppuration.

Synonyms: Design; purpose; object; aim; intent; drift; purport; meaning. See Design.

See images of 'Intention'

Etymology of 'Intention'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Intention" Quotes from Famous Books

... the country for America, where he became tutor to a family in Virginia. He now contemplated taking orders in the Episcopal Church, but on the outbreak of the War of Independence in 1776 he returned to Britain without fulfilling this intention. He resumed his studies at Glasgow preparatory to his seeking a surgeon's diploma; and he afterwards established himself as a medical practitioner in Newton-Stewart, a considerable village in his ...

— The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volumes I-VI. - The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half Century • Various

... object in this sketch is completed. Of the bal-masque garden dances, public balls and such-like, he has no intention to treat; they are not classic dancing nor "art," with the exception perhaps of the Scottish reels. Nor is he interested in the dancing of savage tribes, nor in that of the East, although some few illustrations are given to illustrate traditions: for example, the use ...

— The Dance (by An Antiquary) - Historic Illustrations of Dancing from 3300 B.C. to 1911 A.D. • Anonymous

... full speed, and he whirled about to see that Sleepy, foreseeing the throw from right-field as soon as the ball left the bat, had sauntered over behind the third baseman, had stopped the wild throw, and now stood waiting for the base-runner to declare his intention before he threw the ball. The Charlestonian made a quick dash to get back to third; but Sleepy had the ball in the ...

— The Dozen from Lakerim • Rupert Hughes

... accidentally brought two old acquaintances together, and that one was pleased at the meeting and the other terrified, and that whatever was or had been between the two was none of my business. I had no intention of intruding upon them. But the fellow, Beasley, had looked so much in need of the stimulant that I ventured a knock upon ...

— The Blood Ship • Norman Springer

... in hand, were watching the corners. Ahead of the slowly moving line with the growing bunch of cattle behind it, flourished as it were rather conspicuously, fugitive riders dashed back and forth with curses and yells across the narrow valley. If it had been Whispering Smith's intention to raise a large-sized row it was apparent that he had been successful. Rebstock, driven to desperation, held council after council to determine what to do. Sorties were discussed, ambushes considered, and a pitched battle was planned. But, while ideas were plentiful, ...

— Whispering Smith • Frank H. Spearman

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