Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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END

A good for the sake of which something is made, or done, or exists, or is changed. It is the purpose of an action, being, or modification; also the final cause or aim and objective to be attained by an intellect and free agent.

The "end" therefore has the primary meaning of purpose, but secondarily it also means the point at which something ceases. Yet cessation is not the real purpose of anything, but only the transition from its present condition to a further state or activity,m which is the true "end" of what preceded.