Dictionary entry

Purport

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Pur″port (?), n. [OF. purport; pur, pour, for (L. pro) + porter to bear, carry. See Port demeanor.]

1. Design or tendency; meaning; import; tenor.

The whole scope and purport of that dialogue. Norris.

With a look so piteous in purport

As if he had been loosed out of hell. Shak.

2. Disguise; covering.

For she her sex under that strange purport

Did use to hide. Spenser.