To all intents and purposes

To all intents and purposes
Intent In*tent", n. [OE. entent, entente, attention, purpose, OF. entente, F. entente understanding, meaning; a participial noun, fr. F. & OF. entendre. See {Intend}.] The act of turning the mind toward an object; hence, a design; a purpose; intention; meaning; drift; aim. [1913 Webster]

Be thy intents wicked or charitable. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

The principal intent of Scripture is to deliver the laws of duties supernatural. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]

{To all intents and purposes}, in all applications or senses; practically; really; virtually; in essence; essentially. ``He was miserable to all intents and purpose.'' --L'Estrange.

Syn: Design; purpose; intention; meaning; purport; view; drift; object; end; aim; plan. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • all intents and purposes —    is colorless, redundant, and hackneyed. Almost any other expression would be an improvement.     He is, to all intents and purposes, king of the island (Mail on Sunday) would be instantly made better by changing the central phrase to in effect …   Dictionary of troublesome word

  • to all intents and purposes — adverb in every practical sense to all intents and purposes the case is closed the rest are for all practical purposes useless • Syn: ↑for all practical purposes, ↑for all intents and purposes * * * IN EFFECT, effectively, in essence, essentially …   Useful english dictionary

  • for all intents and purposes — adverb in every practical sense to all intents and purposes the case is closed the rest are for all practical purposes useless • Syn: ↑for all practical purposes, ↑to all intents and purposes * * * to all intents and ˈpurposes idiom ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • (to) all intents and purposes — to all intents and ˈpurposes idiom (BrE) (NAmE for all intents and ˈpurposes) in the effects that sth has, if not in reality; almost completely • By 1981 the docks had, to all intents and purposes, closed …   Useful english dictionary

  • to all intents and purposes — in all the most important ways. We ve got a few odd things to finish, but to all intents and purposes the job is done. They redesigned the old model and created something which was to all intents and purposes a brand new car …   New idioms dictionary

  • for all intents and purposes — to all intents and purposes if you sublet your apartment, realize that you are for all intents and purposes a landlord Syn: in effect, effectively, in essence, essentially, virtually, practically; more or less, just about, all but, as good as, in …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • for all intents and purposes — almost completely. Escape from that prison was, for all intents and purposes, impossible. A licensed physician s assistant is to all intents and purposes a doctor …   New idioms dictionary

  • to all intents and purposes — This means in all the most important ways …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • to all intents and purposes — ► to all intents and purposes in all important respects. Main Entry: ↑intent …   English terms dictionary

  • to all intents and purposes — {adv. phr.} In most ways; in fact. * /The president is called the head of state, but the prime minister, to all intents and purposes, is the chief executive./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

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