WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : In*ten"tion
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. intention, L. intentio. See Intend, and cf. Intension.]
Definition : 1. A stretching or bending of the mind toward of the mind toward an object; closeness of application; fixedness of attention; earnestness. Intention is when the mind, with great earnestness, and of choice, fixes its view on any idea. Locke.

2. A determination to act in a certain way or to do a certain thing; purpose; design; as, an intention to go to New York. Hell is paved with good intentions. Johnson.

3. The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim. In [chronical distempers], the principal intention is to restore the tone of the solid parts. Arbuthnot.

4. The state of being strained. See Intension. [Obs.]

5. (Logic)

Defn: Any mental apprehension of an object. First intention (Logic), a conception of a thing formed by the first or direct application of the mind to the individual object; an idea or image; as, man, stone. -- Second intention (Logic), a conception generalized from first intuition or apprehension already formed by the mind; an abstract notion; especially, a classified notion, as species, genus, whiteness. -- To heal by the first intention (Surg.), to cicatrize, as a wound, without suppuration. -- To heal by the second intention (Surg.), to unite after suppuration.

Syn. -- Design; purpose; object; aim; intent; drift; purport; meaning. See Design.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913