Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Intend?

\In*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Intended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Intending}.] [OE. entenden to be attentive, F. entendre, fr. L. intendre, intentum, and intensum, to intend, attend, stretch out, extend; pref. in- in + tendere to stretch, stretch out. See {Tend}.] 1. To stretch' to extend; to distend. [Obs.] By this the lungs are intended or remitted. --Sir M. Hale. 2. To strain; to make tense. [Obs.] When a bow is successively intended and remedied. --Cudworth. 3. To intensify; to strengthen. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne. Magnetism may be intended and remitted. --Sir I. Newton. 4. To apply with energy. Let him intend his mind, without respite, without rest, in one direction. --Emerson. 5. To bend or turn; to direct, as one's course or journey. [Archaic] --Shak. 6. To fix the mind on; to attend to; to take care of; to superintend; to regard. [Obs.] Having no children, she did, with singular care and tenderness, intend the education of Philip. --Bacon. My soul, not being able to intend two things at once, abated of its fervency in praying. --Fuller. 7. To fix the mind upon (something to be accomplished); to be intent upon; to mean; to design; to plan; to purpose; -- often followed by an infinitely with to, or a dependent clause with that; as, he intends to go; he intends that she shall remain. They intended evil against thee. --Ps. xxi. 11. To-morrow he intends To hunt the boar with certain of his friends. --Shak. 8. To design mechanically or artistically; to fashion; to mold. [Obs.] Modesty was made When she was first intended. --Beau. & Fl. 9. To pretend; to counterfeit; to simulate. [Obs.] Intend a kind of zeal both to the prince and Claudio. --Shak. Syn: To purpose; mean; design; plan; conceive; contemplate.