Definition of purport

< purplish

purported >

pur·port    (pr-pôrt, -prt) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
pur·port·ed, pur·port·ing, pur·ports

1. To have or present the often false appearance of being or intending; profess: selfish behavior that purports to be altruistic.
2. To have the intention of doing; purpose.

NOUN:
(pûrpôrt, -prt)

1. Meaning presented, intended, or implied; import. See Synonyms at substance.
2. Intention; purpose.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English purporten, to set forth, from Anglo-Norman purporter : pur-, forth (from Latin pr-; see pro-¹) + porter, to carry (from Latin portre; see per-² in Indo-European roots)