Purpose shown by predecessors of foe (3)
I believe the answer is:
end
'purpose' is the definition.
(I know that purpose can be written as end)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for end that I've seen before include "Terminus" , "death" , "dying > department" , "Fine" , "Butt" .)