I.a stretching out, straining, tension.
I. Lit.: “corporis,” Cic. Tusc. 1, 10, 20: “nervorum,” Col. 6, 6: “vocis,” Plin. 28, 4, 14, § 53: “aëris,” Gell. 5, 16, 2: “intentionem aëris ostendent tibi inflata, ... quid enim est vox nisi intentio aëris?” Sen. Q. N. 2, 6, 3: “et remissio motus,” Gell. 18, 10: “vultus,” Tac. A. 16, 34.—
B. Increase, augmentation: “doloris,” Sen. Ep. 78, 7: “ve particula tum intentionem significat, tum minutionem,” Gell. 16, 5, 5.—
II. Trop., a directing of the mind towards any thing.
A. Exertion, effort: “animus intentione sua depellit pressum omnem ponderum, opp. remissio,” Cic. Tusc. 2, 23, 54: “animi,” id. ib. 2, 27, 65: “cogitationum,” id. ib. 4, 2; id. Inv. 2, 14, 46: “tantum curae intentionisque,” Plin. Ep. 2, 10, 5: “ut libertatem revoces,” id. Pan. 78 med.: “ad intentiones capiendas habiliores,” Gell. 15, 2, 5.—
B. Attention, application to any thing: “lusūs,” to play, Liv. 4, 17: “intentionem alicui accommodare,” Sen. Ep. 113, 3: “avocare ab intentione operis destinati,” Quint. 10, 3, 23: “rerum,” id. 6, 3, 1: “rei familiaris,” Plin. Ep. 1, 3, 2.—
C. A design, purpose, intention: “haec intentio tua ut libertatem revoces,” Plin. Pan. 78: “defuncti,” Dig. 34, 1, 10; Ambros. de Jos. Patriarch. 11, 52; Aug. c. Mendac. 18.—
D. A charge, accusation: “intentio adversariorum,” Cic. Inv. 2, 43, 125: “judiciale genus officiis constat duobus, intentionis ac depulsionis,” Quint. 3, 9, 11; 7, 1, 9.— Hence,
2. Esp., law t. t., that part of the formula or instruction given by the prætor to the court, setting forth the judgment or relief prayed for by a plaintiff in his complaint (cf. Sanders, Inst. of Just. introd. p. 65 sqq.): “intentio est ea pars formulae qua actor desiderium suum concludit,” Gai. Inst. 4, 41; 44 sq.; “53 sq.: cum petitor intentionem suam perdiderit,” Dig. 10, 4, 9, § 6: quod intentionis vestrae proprias afferre debeatis probationes, Vet. Consult. 6, 14 Huschke.—