purport
Defined in 9 dictionaries — Case Law, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Anderson (1889), Abbott (1879), Bouvier (1839)
Definitions from Case Law
From 32 U.S. 132 - United States v. Abel Turner · 1833Most cited · 43 citing opinions
the word 'purport' imports what appears on the face of the instrument.
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
In pleading. The substance of a vsrriting as it appears on the face of it to the eye that reads it. It differs from tenor (g. v.) 2 Russ. Crimes, 365; 1 East, 179; and therefore, where the instrument is stated according to its tenor, the purport of it must necessarily appear. 9 Yerg. (Tenn.) 394. To "purport" means "to intend to show; to intend; to mean; to signify." 39 111. App. 594.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
In Pleading. The substance of a writing as it appears on the face of it to the eye that reads it. It differs from tenor. 2 Russ. Cr. 365; 1 East 179.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
Meaning; import; substantial meaning; substance.
A Dictionary of Law
William C. Anderson · 1889
The substance or general import of language. The " purport " of a communication is its substance, as stated in any other than the identical words in which it was originally expressed. In libel, the exact words are required to be set out. The substance of an instrument as it appears on the face of it to every eye that reads it. " Tenor " (g. v.) imports an exact copy.*
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence
Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879
Has a signification different from tenor. It means the substance as it appears on the face of the instrument. Tenor imports an exact copy. State v. Atkins, 5 Black/. 458; Commonwealth v. Wright, 1 Cush. 46.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
pleading. This word means the substance of it as it appears on the face of it to the eye that reads it, it differs from tenor, v.) 2 Russ. on Cr. 365; 1 Chit. (9. r. Law, 235; 1 East, R. 179, and the cases in the notes.