Purposive modification of structure in a bone. --Owen.
[1913 Webster]
It is impossible that the frog should perform actions morepurposive than these. --Huxley. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
purposive — index aforethought, express, purposeful Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
purposive — 1855, from PURPOSE (Cf. purpose) + IVE (Cf. ive) … Etymology dictionary
purposive — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ having or done with a purpose. DERIVATIVES purposively adverb purposiveness noun … English terms dictionary
purposive — [pʉr′pəs iv] adj. 1. serving some purpose 2. having a purpose purposively adv … English World dictionary
Purposive theory — is a theory of statutory interpretation that holds that common law courts should interpret legislation in light of the purpose behind the legislation. Purposive theory stands in contrast to textualism or statutory derogation, two other prominent… … Wikipedia
purposive — adjective Date: 1849 1. serving or effecting a useful function though not as a result of planning or design 2. having or tending to fulfill a conscious purpose or design ; purposeful • purposively adverb • purposiveness noun … New Collegiate Dictionary
purposive — purposively, adv. purposiveness, n. /perr peuh siv/, adj. 1. having, showing, or acting with a purpose, intention, or design. 2. adapted to a purpose or end. 3. serving some purpose. 4. determined; resolute. 5. of or characteristic of purpose.… … Universalium
purposive — adjective a) Serving a particular purpose. b) Done or made with a conscious purpose. See Also: purposeful … Wiktionary
purposive — adjective having or done with a particular purpose. Derivatives purposively adverb purposiveness noun … English new terms dictionary
purposive — pur·pos·ive … English syllables
