All 11 Uses of
purport
in
The Scarlet Letter
- There was, moreover, a boldness and rotundity of speech among these matrons, as most of them seemed to be, that would startle us at the present day, whether in respect to its purport or its volume of tone.
p. 38.3purport = general meaning or significance
- There was a murmur among the dignified and reverend occupants of the balcony; and Governor Bellingham gave expression to its purport, speaking in an authoritative voice, although tempered with respect towards the youthful clergyman whom he addressed: "Good Master Dimmesdale," said he, "the responsibility of this woman's soul lies greatly with you."
p. 47.9
- The feeling that it so evidently manifested, rather than the direct purport of the words, caused it to vibrate within all hearts, and brought the listeners into one accord of sympathy.
p. 48.9purport = meaning
- Therefore, first allowing her to pass, they pursued her at a distance with shrill cries, and the utterances of a word that had no distinct purport to their own minds, but was none the less terrible to her, as proceeding from lips that babbled it unconsciously.
p. 59.8purport = meaning or significance
- They little guessed what deadly purport lurked in those self-condemning words.
p. 97.3
- Were I worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purport.
p. 113.8purport = meaning
- "My little Pearl," said Hester, after a moment's silence, "the green letter, and on thy childish bosom, has no purport."
p. 120.3
- "I profess, madam," answered the clergyman, with a grave obeisance, such as the lady's rank demanded, and his own good breeding made imperative—"I profess, on my conscience and character, that I am utterly bewildered as touching the purport of your words!"
p. 148.8
- The whole gang of sailors, likewise, observing the press of spectators, and learning the purport of the scarlet letter, came and thrust their sunburnt and desperado-looking faces into the ring.
p. 164.5
- The men of rank and dignity, who stood more immediately around the clergyman, were so taken by surprise, and so perplexed as to the purport of what they saw—unable to receive the explanation which most readily presented itself, or to imagine any other—that they remained silent and inactive spectators of the judgement which Providence seemed about to work.
p. 168.5 *
- All around, there were monuments carved with armorial bearings; and on this simple slab of slate—as the curious investigator may still discern, and perplex himself with the purport—there appeared the semblance of an engraved escutcheon.
p. 174.9
Definitions:
-
(1)
(purport as in: Her ex-husband purports that...) to claim -- (often said of something that is not easy to believe or is not true)
-
(2)
(purport as in: The purport of the letter was...) the general meaning, purpose, intent, or significance of something