- Intention
- Intention In*ten"tion, n. [F. intention, L. intentio. See
{Intend}, and cf. {Intension}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. A stretching or bending of the mind toward an object;
closeness of application; fixedness of attention;
earnestness.
[1913 Webster]
Intention is when the mind, with great earnestness, and of choice, fixes its view on any idea. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Hell is paved with good intentions. --Johnson. [1913 Webster]
3. The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim. [1913 Webster]
In [chronical distempers], the principal intention is to restore the tone of the solid parts. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]
4. The state of being strained. See {Intension}. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
5. (Logic) Any mental apprehension of an object. [1913 Webster]
{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.
Syn: Design; purpose; object; aim; intent; drift; purport; meaning. See {Design}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.