purport
pronunciation
How to pronounce purport in British English:
UK [pəˈpɔːt , ˈpɜːpɔːt]
How to pronounce purport in American English:
US [pərˈpɔːrt , ˈpɜːrpɔːrt]
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- Noun:
- the intended meaning of a communication
- general meaning or tenor
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- Verb:
- have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming
- propose or intend
Word Origin
- purport (n.)
- early 15c., from Anglo-French purport (late 13c.), Old French porport "contents, tenor," back-formation from purporter "to contain, convey, carry," from pur- (from Latin pro- "forth;" see pur-) + Old French porter "to carry," from Latin portare "to carry" (see port (n.1)).
- purport (v.)
- early 15c., "indicate, express, set forth," from the noun in English and from Anglo-French purporter (c. 1300), from Old French purporter (see purport (n.)). Related: Purported; purporting.
Example
- 1. These firms , which purport to provide consulting services , enable investors to pay them for advice on specific companies and industries , some of which may include non-public information .
- 2. His group also found more cases of " social engineering fraud " -- like " phishing " messages that purport to come from a bank and seek personal information that could be used for identity theft .
- 3. Separately , much of the african writing culture that remains on the continent , including kwani ? , Is propped up with cash from the western donors that african writers purport to excoriate .
- 4. And several studies purport to show that playing violent video games raises aggression levels .
- 5. Many articles and theses purport to explain why behaviour that is plainly foolish such as becoming a heroin addict or buying dotcom stocks for many times what they are worth is nevertheless , in some convoluted sense , rational .