For what purpose

  • 1what — [hwut, hwät, wut, wät] pron. [ME hwat < OE hwæt, neut. of hwa, who < IE interrogative base * kwo , * kwe > WHERE, WHO, L qui, who what, Lith kàs, what, who] I as an interrogative: which thing, event, circumstance, etc.?: used to ask for… …

    English World dictionary

  • 2what...for — what…for : for what purpose or reason What did you do that for? [=why did you do that?] What is this switch for? [=what does this switch do?] “The principal wants to see you.” “What for?” [=why?] …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 3What — What, interrog. adv. Why? For what purpose? On what account? [Obs.] [1913 Webster] What should I tell the answer of the knight. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] But what do I stand reckoning upon advantages and gains lost by the misrule and turbulency of… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 4what for? — informal for what reason? * * * what for? idiom for what purpose or reason? • What is this tool for? • What did you do that for (= why did you do that)? • …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 5what for — phrasal 1. for what purpose or reason ; why usually used with the other words of a question between what and for < what did you do that for > except when used alone 2. harsh treatment especially by blows or by a sharp reprimand < gave him what&#8230; …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 6what for — (Roget s IV) conj. Syn. why, but why, to what end, for what purpose; see why …

    English dictionary for students

  • 7what — W1S1 [wɔt US wa:t, wʌt] pron, determiner, predeterminer [: Old English; Origin: hwAt] 1.) used to ask for information or for someone s opinion ▪ What are you doing? ▪ What subjects did you enjoy most? ▪ What colour is the new carpet? ▪ What s&#8230; …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 8purpose — UK US /ˈpɜːpəs/ noun ► [C] the reason for doing something or the reason that something exists: sb s purpose in doing sth »My purpose in calling this meeting was to remind everyone of some basic rules. with/for the purpose of (doing) sth »He&#8230; …

    Financial and business terms

  • 9For-profit education — (also known as the education services industry or proprietary education) refers to educational institutions operated by private, profit seeking businesses. There are two major types of for profit schools. One type is known as an educational&#8230; …

    Wikipedia

  • 10what ... for? — what … for? For what reason, or with what purpose in mind? (also dialect what for…?) • • • Main Entry: ↑what …

    Useful english dictionary