purpose
n
(=aim) but m
→ Her only purpose in life was to get rich.
→ They might well be prepared to do you harm in order to achieve their purpose.
→ His purpose was to make a profit by improving the company's performance.
→ The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the committee's report.
→ What is the purpose of your visit?
What is the purpose of these changes? Quel est le but de ces changements?
his purpose in life son but dans la vie
for this purpose à cette intention
→ Various insurance policies exist for this purpose.
We only went there for that purpose. Nous n'y sommes allés qu'à cette intention.
It's not meant for that purpose. Ce n'est pas fait pour ça.
for medicinal purposes dans un but médicinal
→ Oils have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
for military purposes dans un but militaire
→ the use of nuclear energy for military purposes
for propaganda purposes dans un but de propagande
→ He was used purely for propaganda purposes.
for illustrative purposes à titre d'illustration
for teaching purposes dans un but pédagogique
for the purposes of this meeting pour les besoins de cette réunion
to no purpose en pure perte
→ It was all to no purpose.
→ He spent a full hour talking to her but to little purpose.
to all intents and purposes, for all practical purposes
(=in effect) pour ainsi dire
→ To all intents and purposes, he was my father.
→ For all practical purposes, the treaty has already ceased to exist.
→ To all intents and purposes, the case was closed.
on purpose (adv)
exprès
→ Do you think I did it on purpose?
→ Was it an accident, or did David do it on purpose?
He did it on purpose. Il l'a fait exprès.
(=direction, determination) (in life)
a sense of purpose une motivation → It's given him a new sense of purpose in life. → She lost all sense of purpose in life when her husband died. → The teachers are enthusiastic and have a sense of purpose. → The thought of being able to climb mountains again gave him a sense of purpose.
all-purpose
adj
[cleaner] multi-usages
→ a biodegradable, all-purpose cleaner, for general stain removal
[glue] universel (le)
[flour, potatoes] tous usages
→ Use all-purpose flour if you cannot find pastry flour.
dual-purpose
adj
[machine, room, facilities] à usage mixte
general-purpose
adj
[tool, substance] universel (le)
[dictionary] général (e)
purpose-built
adj spécialement construit (e) , ad hoc
→ Mr Jordan called on the Government to provide purpose-built accommodation on campuses.