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.
[Obs.]
For she her sex under that strange purport
Did use to hide.
Spenser.
© Webster 1913.
Pur"port, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purported; p. pr. & vb. n. Purporting.] [OF. purporter, pourporter. See Purport, n.]
To intend to show; to intend; to mean; to signify; to import; -- often with an object clause or infinitive.
They in most grave and solemn wise unfolded
Matter which little purported.
Rowe.
© Webster 1913.