Ultimate purposes (4)
I believe the answer is:
ends
'ultimate purposes' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for ends that I've seen before include "Borders" , "Finishes (could be loose or dead?)" , "Odds and --" , "They may be made to meet!" , "Finishes (loose or dead, perhaps?)" .)