purport
Meaning
To claim or appear to be something, especially when this is not the case.
The general meaning or intention of something, especially a document or speech.
Structure
Usage
The document purports to be an official treaty from the 18th century.
The purport of his lengthy speech was a call for unity and reform.
Advertisements often purport the benefits of a product while downplaying the risks.
Etymology
The word 'purport' entered English in the late Middle English period via Anglo-Norman and Old French, from the phrase 'purporter', meaning 'to convey, signify'. It is built upon the Latin elements 'pro-' (forward) and 'portare' (to carry). The literal sense of "carrying forward" an idea or meaning evolved into the abstract sense of "presenting or claiming a certain meaning or intention". Thus, the modern verb captures the act of conveying or professing a particular significance, while the noun refers to the meaning that is ostensibly carried within a message.
Analysis
'pur-' is a variant of the Latin prefix 'pro-', meaning 'forward, forth, in front of'. '-port' is from the Latin verb 'portare', meaning 'to carry'.