Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Purport
Pur′port (pûr′pōrt), 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.
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.