σκοπός

Etymology: From Ancient Greek σκοπός (skopos), related to σκέπτομαι (to look at, examine). The root *skep- gives us English 'scope', 'telescope', 'microscope'. The dual meaning of both 'aim/purpose' and 'watchman' comes from the original sense of 'one who watches/looks out'. This semantic development parallels English 'aim' (both the target and the act of looking carefully).