purposive
UK /ˈpəːpəsɪv/ · US /ˈpɚpəsɪv/ adjective, noun
- adjective Serving a particular purpose; useful; adapted to a given purpose, especially through natural evolution.
- adjective Done or performed with a conscious purpose or intent. “Most human activity is purposive.”
- adjective (psychology) Pertaining to purpose, as reflected in behaviour or mental activity.
- adjective Pertaining to or demonstrating purpose.
- adjective Possessed of a firm purpose. “I had a purposive air about me that night.”
- adjective (grammar) Of a clause or conjunction: expressing purpose.
- noun (grammar) A mood indicating a purpose of the course of activity expressed by the verb.
Synonyms
deliberate intentional purposeful advertent conscious witting on purpose volitational volitional voluntary wilful determined resolute goal-directed
Etymology
From purpose + -ive. Compare purpositive.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Having or indicating purpose or design. "Purposive characters." Bastian.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “purposive”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details