philosophy The end or purpose of a thing or process.
Roget 153:
cause,
origin,
source,
principle,
element;
occasioner†,
prime mover,
primum mobile [Lat.];
vera causa [Lat.];
author
etc.
(producer)
164;
mainspring;
agent;
leaven;
groundwork,
foundation
etc.
(support)
215.
spring,
fountain,
well,
font;
fountainhead,
spring head,
wellhead;
fons et origo [Lat.],
genesis;
descent
etc.
(paternity)
166;
remote cause;
influence.
pivot,
hinge,
turning point,
lever,
crux,
fulcrum;
key;
proximate cause,
causa causans [Lat.];
straw that breaks the camel's back.
ground;
reason,
reason why;
why and wherefore,
rationale,
occasion,
derivation;
final cause
etc.
(intention)
620;
les dessous des cartes [Fr.];
undercurrents.
rudiment.
egg,
germ,
embryo,
bud,
root,
radix radical,
etymon,
nucleus,
seed,
stem,
stock,
stirps,
trunk,
tap-root,
gemmule†,
radicle,
semen,
sperm.
nest,
cradle,
nursery,
womb,
nidus,
birthplace,
hotbed.
causality,
causation;
origination;
production
etc.
161.
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Roget 620:
intent,
intention,
intentionality;
purpose;
quo animo [Lat.];
project
etc.
626;
undertaking
etc.
676;
predetermination
etc.
611;
design,
ambition.
contemplation,
mind,
animus,
view,
purview,
proposal;
study;
look out.
final cause;
raison d'etre [Fr.];
cui bono [Lat.];
object,
aim,
end;
the be all and the end all;"
drift
etc.
(meaning)
516;
tendency
etc.
176;
destination,
mark,
point,
butt,
goal,
target,
bull's-eye,
quintain [Mediev.];
prey,
quarry,
game.
decision,
determination,
resolve;
fixed set purpose,
settled purpose;
ultimatum;
resolution
etc.
604;
wish
etc.
865;
arriere pensee [Fr.];
motive
etc.
615.
[Study of final causes]
teleology.
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