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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To heal by the first intention

Intention \In*ten"tion\, n. [F. intention, L. intentio. See Intend, and cf. Intension.]

  1. A stretching or bending of the mind toward an object; closeness of application; fixedness of attention; earnestness.

    Intention is when the mind, with great earnestness, and of choice, fixes its view on any idea.
    --Locke.

  2. A determination to act in a certain way or to do a certain thing; purpose; design; as, an intention to go to New York.

    Hell is paved with good intentions.
    --Johnson.

  3. The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim.

    In [chronical distempers], the principal intention is to restore the tone of the solid parts.
    --Arbuthnot.

  4. The state of being strained. See Intension. [Obs.]

  5. (Logic) Any mental apprehension of an object.

    First intention (Logic), a conception of a thing formed by the first or direct application of the mind to the individual object; an idea or image; as, man, stone.

    Second intention (Logic), a conception generalized from first intuition or apprehension already formed by the mind; an abstract notion; especially, a classified notion, as species, genus, whiteness.

    To heal by the first intention (Surg.), to cicatrize, as a wound, without suppuration.

    To heal by the second intention (Surg.), to unite after suppuration.

    Syn: Design; purpose; object; aim; intent; drift; purport; meaning. See Design.