'To all intents and purposes' definitions:
Definition of 'to all intents and purposes'
(from WordNet)
adverb
In every practical sense; "to all intents and purposes the case is closed"; "the rest are for all practical purposes useless" [syn: for all practical purposes, to all intents and purposes, for all intents and purposes]
Definition of 'To all intents and purposes'
From: GCIDE
- Intent \In*tent"\, n. [OE. entent, entente, attention, purpose, OF. entente, F. entente understanding, meaning; a participial noun, fr. F. & OF. entendre. See Intend.] The act of turning the mind toward an object; hence, a design; a purpose; intention; meaning; drift; aim. [1913 Webster]
- Be thy intents wicked or charitable. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- The principal intent of Scripture is to deliver the laws of duties supernatural. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
- To all intents and purposes, in all applications or senses; practically; really; virtually; in essence; essentially. "He was miserable to all intents and purpose." --L'Estrange.
- Syn: Design; purpose; intention; meaning; purport; view; drift; object; end; aim; plan. [1913 Webster]