WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Scope
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [It. scopo, L. scopos a mark, aim, Gr. skopo`s, a watcher, mark, aim; akin to spy. Cf. Skeptic, Bishop.]
Definition : 1. That at which one aims; the thing or end to which the mind directs its view; that which is purposed to be reached or accomplished; hence, ultimate design, aim, or purpose; intention; drift; object. "Shooting wide, do miss the marked scope." Spenser. Your scope is as mine own, So to enforce or quality the laws As to your soul seems good. Shak. The scope of all their pleading against man's authority, is to overthrow such laws and constitutions in the church. Hooker.

2. Room or opportunity for free outlook or aim; space for action; amplitude of opportunity; free course or vent; liberty; range of view; intent, or action. Give him line and scope. Shak. In the fate and fortunes of the human race, scope is given to the operation of laws which man must always fail to discern the reasons of. I. Taylor. Excuse me if I have given too much scope to the reflections which have arisen in my mind. Burke. An intellectual cultivation of no moderate depth or scope. Hawthorne.

3. Extended area. [Obs.] "The scopes of land granted to the first adventurers." Sir J. Davies.

4. Length; extent; sweep; as, scope of cable. v. t. To look at for the purpose of evaluation; usu with out; as, to scope out the area as a camping site.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913