2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Puritan attitudes are based on strict moral or religious principles and often involve disapproval of physical pleasures. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Paul was someone who certainly had a puritan streak in him.
Pu|ri|tan (Puritans ) N‑COUNT The Puritans were a group of English Protestants in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries who lived in a very strict and religious way.
pu|ri|tani|cal /pjʊə r I tæ n I k ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone as puritanical , you mean that they have very strict moral principles, and often try to make other people behave in a more moral way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He has a puritanical attitude towards sex.
pu|ri|tan|ism /pjʊə r I tən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Puritanism is behaviour or beliefs that are based on strict moral or religious principles, especially the principle that people should avoid physical pleasures. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the tight-lipped puritanism of the Scottish literary world.
Pu|ri|tan|ism N‑UNCOUNT Puritanism is the set of beliefs that were held by the Puritans. □ Out of Puritanism came the intense work ethic.
pu|rity /pjʊə r I ti/ → see pure
pur|loin /pɜː r lɔ I n/ (purloins , purloining , purloined ) VERB If someone purloins something, they steal it or borrow it without asking permission. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Each side purloins the other's private letters.
pur|ple ◆◆◇ /pɜː r p ə l/ (purples )
1 COLOUR Something that is purple is of a reddish-blue colour. □ She wore purple and green silk. □ …sinister dark greens and purples.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Purple prose or a purple patch is a piece of writing that contains very elaborate language or images. □ …passages of purple prose describing intense experiences.
Pu r|ple Hea rt (Purple Hearts ) N‑COUNT The Purple Heart is a medal that is given to members of the US Armed Forces who have been wounded during battle.
pur|plish /pɜː r pəl I ʃ/ ADJ Purplish means slightly purple in colour.
pur|port /pə r pɔː r t/ (purports , purporting , purported ) VERB If you say that someone or something purports to do or be a particular thing, you mean that they claim to do or be that thing, although you may not always believe that claim. [FORMAL ] □ [V to-inf] …a book that purports to tell the whole truth.
pur|port|ed|ly /pə r pɔː r t I dli/ ADV [ADV with v] If you say that something has purportedly been done, you mean that you think that it has been done but you cannot be sure. [FORMAL ] □ He was given a letter purportedly signed by the Prime Minister.
pur|pose ◆◆◇ /pɜː r pəs/ (purposes )
1 N‑COUNT The purpose of something is the reason for which it is made or done. □ [+ of ] The purpose of the occasion was to raise money for medical supplies. □ Various insurance schemes already exist for this purpose. □ …the use of nuclear energy for military purposes. □ He was asked about casualties, but said it would serve no purpose to count bodies.
2 N‑COUNT [with poss] Your purpose is the thing that you want to achieve. □ They might well be prepared to do you harm in order to achieve their purpose. □ His purpose was to make a profit by improving the company's performance.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Purpose is the feeling of having a definite aim and of being determined to achieve it. □ The teachers are enthusiastic and have a sense of purpose.
4 → see also cross-purposes
5 PHRASE You use for all practical purposes or to all intents and purposes to suggest that a situation is not exactly as you describe it, but the effect is the same as if it were. □ For all practical purposes the treaty has already ceased to exist.
6 PHRASE If you do something on purpose , you do it intentionally. □ Was it an accident or did David do it on purpose? COLLOCATIONS purpose NOUN 1
verb + purpose : fulfil, serve; defeat
adjective + purpose : sole, specific; express, intended, stated; commercial, educational, medicinal, recreational, scientific; practical, useful; main, primary SYNONYMS purpose NOUN
1
reason: The exact locations are being kept secret for reasons of security.
point: What was the point of thinking about him?
function: The main function of the merchant banks is to raise capital for industry.
2
aim: The aim of the festival is to increase awareness of Hindu culture and traditions.
goaclass="underline" The goal is to raise as much money as possible.
objective: Our main objective was the recovery of the child safe and well.
pu rpose-bui lt ADJ A purpose-built building has been specially designed and built for a particular use. [mainly BRIT ] □ The company has recently moved into a new purpose-built factory. in AM, usually use custom-built
pur|pose|ful /pɜː r pəsfʊl/ ADJ If someone is purposeful , they show that they have a definite aim and a strong desire to achieve it. □ She had a purposeful air, and it became evident that this was not a casual visit. ● pur|pose|ful|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He strode purposefully towards the barn.
pur|pose|less /pɜː r pəsləs/ ADJ If an action is purposeless , it does not seem to have a sensible purpose. □ Time may also be wasted in purposeless meetings. □ Surely my existence cannot be so purposeless?