from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Intention \In*ten"tion\, n. [F. intention, L. intentio. See
{Intend}, and cf. {Intension}.]
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1. A stretching or bending of the mind toward an object;
closeness of application; fixedness of attention;
earnestness.
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Intention is when the mind, with great earnestness,
and of choice, fixes its view on any idea. --Locke.
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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.
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Hell is paved with good intentions. --Johnson.
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3. The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end;
aim.
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In [chronical distempers], the principal intention
is to restore the tone of the solid parts.
--Arbuthnot.
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4. The state of being strained. See {Intension}. [Obs.]
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5. (Logic) Any mental apprehension of an object.
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{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}.
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