Intentionals

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

  1. Characterizing actions or behaviors that are deliberate and planned, rather than accidental or spontaneous
  2. involving conscious decisions made with a specific purpose in mind
  3. relating to goals or aims that are intentionally pursued or wished to be realized

Etymology: The root of this term lies in the word "intention," which itself traces back to the Latin "intentio," meaning a stretching out or an earnest effort, derived from "intendere," to stretch toward or aim at something. This Latin verb is composed of "in-" meaning "toward" and "tendere," meaning "to stretch." The original sense involved a physical or mental stretching toward a goal or purpose, which evolved over time into the more abstract notion of a plan, purpose, or aim. By the late Middle Ages, the noun "intention" had entered English, capturing the sense of a mental resolution or purpose behind an action. Adding the suffix "-al," which forms adjectives meaning "pertaining to," gave rise to "intentional," describing something done with intention or purpose. This adjective emerged in English usage by the early modern period, around the 16th century, reflecting a growing interest in the motives behind actions, especially in legal and moral contexts. The plural form, used as a noun, "intentionals," is less common but can refer collectively to acts or decisions made deliberately and with purpose. The transformation from adjective to noun in this plural form reflects a broader linguistic pattern where adjectives are nominalized to discuss groups or categories characterized by the adjective's quality. This usage often appears in philosophical or psychological discussions about actions done with conscious will. Thus, the word’s journey from a Latin verb about stretching toward something to a modern English term encompassing purposeful actions reveals a shift from physical motion to mental resolve. The suffix and pluralization reflect how English adapts words to express nuanced meanings about human agency and deliberate choice.

Synonyms: deliberates, purposeful, willful, premeditated, calculated

Antonyms: accidental, unintentional, inadvertent, unplanned, unpremeditated