tr.v. pur·port·ed, pur·port·ing, pur·ports To have or present the often false appearance of being or intending; claim or profess: a novel that purports to be a sailor's memoir; an author who purports to have witnessed the events. n. (pûrpôrt′) 1. Meaning that is presented, intended, or implied; import. See Synonyms at substance. 2. Intention; purpose: The purport of the visit was to discuss trade relations. [Middle English purporten, to set forth, from Anglo-Norman purporter : pur-, forth (from Latin prō-; see PRO-1) + porter, to carry (from Latin portāre; see per-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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