intention
UK[ɪnˈtɛnʃ(ə)n]US[ɪnˈtɛnʃ(ə)n]
n
a plan or aim in your mind; the thing that you intend to do
n
the general meaning or purpose of something, especially a law or statement
Morpheme Breakdown
in
tent
ion
in
towards
tent
stretch
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "intention" originates from the Latin verb intendere, meaning "to stretch toward, aim at, or direct one's attention to". This verb is a compound of the prefix in- ("towards") and tendere ("to stretch"). The abstract noun form intentio evolved in Latin to signify the act of stretching the mind toward a goal, thus "a purpose or aim". Through Old French, the term entered Middle English, retaining the core concept of mental direction or purpose, which has persisted into its modern usage to denote a plan or objective held in the mind.
Analysis
Structure: in (towards) + tent (stretch) + ion (noun suffix)
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "towards, into, on".
- tent: Latin origin, from the root of the verb tendere, meaning "to stretch, aim, direct".
- ion: Latin/French origin, a noun-forming suffix indicating an action, process, or state.
Examples
It was never my intention to cause any offense.
The government has announced its intention to reform the tax system.
The law is clear in its intention to protect consumers.