WordWeb Online

1. Have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming
   "The letter purports to express people's opinion"
    
2. Propose or intend
   - aim, purpose, propose

1. The intended meaning of a communication
   - intent, spirit
    
2. The pervading meaning or tenor
   - drift

Derived forms: purporting, purported, purports

Type of: claim, import, intend, mean, meaning, significance, signification, strain, tenor, think