function

function
function [fuŋk′shən]
n.
[OFr < L functio < pp. of fungi, to perform < IE base * bheug-, to enjoy > Sans bhuṅktē, (he) enjoys]
1. the normal or characteristic action of anything; esp., any of the natural, specialized actions of a system, organ, or part of an animal or plant [the procreative function]
2. a special duty or performance required in the course of work or activity [the function of an auditor, the function of the brakes]
3. occupation or employment
4. a formal ceremony or elaborate social occasion
5. a thing that depends on and varies with something else
6.
a) an action which is part of a series leading to a resulting action
b) an operational instruction for programming an electronic device, as a digital watch, computer, etc.; also, an operation performed by such a device as a result of such an instruction
7. any of the roles that a linguistic form can fulfill in an utterance
8. Math. an association between two sets in which each element of one set has one assigned element in the other set: any selected element becomes the independent variable and its associated element is the dependent variable [y = f(x) means y is a function of x]
vi.
1. to act in a required or expected manner; work
2. to have a function; serve or be used (as)
functionless
adj.
SYN.- FUNCTION is the broad, general term for the natural, required, or expected activity of a person or thing [the function of the liver, of education, etc. ]; OFFICE, in this connection, refers to the function of a person, as determined by his position, profession, or employment [the office of a priest ]; DUTY is applied to a task necessary in or appropriate to one's occupation, rank, status, etc. and carries a strong connotation of obligation [the duties of a vicar ]; CAPACITY refers to a specific function or status, not necessarily the usual or customary one [the judge spoke to him in the capacity of a friend ]

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Function — Func tion, n. [L. functio, fr. fungi to perform, execute, akin to Skr. bhuj to enjoy, have the use of: cf. F. fonction. Cf. {Defunct}.] 1. The act of executing or performing any duty, office, or calling; performance. In the function of his public …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • function — n 1 Function, office, duty, province are comparable when they mean the act, acts, activities, or operations expected of a person or thing by virtue of his or its nature, structure, status, or position. Function is the most comprehensive of these… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • function — 1. The noun has a number of technical meanings in mathematics and information technology, and has acquired general meanings that caused Fowler (1926) to categorize it as a popularized technicality. As a noun, it is often used somewhat… …   Modern English usage

  • Function — may refer to:* Function (biology), explaining why a feature survived selection * Function (mathematics), an abstract entity that associates an input to a corresponding output according to some rule * Function (engineering), related to the… …   Wikipedia

  • function — I noun appropriate activity, assignment, business, chore, design, duty, employment, exploitation, mission, munus, occupation, office, officium, performance, purpose, pursuit, responsibility, role, task, usage, use, utility, work associated… …   Law dictionary

  • Functĭon — (v. lat. Functio), 1) Verrichtung; Amtsverrichtung; daher Functioniren, ein Amt verrichten; 2) nach Kant die Einheit der Handlung, verschiedene Vorstellungen unter eine gemeinschaftliche zu ordnen; 3) die naturgemäße Thätigkeit eines Organs; 4)… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • function — [n1] capacity, job action, activity, affair, behavior, business, charge, concern, duty, employment, exercise, faculty, goal, mark, mission, object, objective, occupation, office, operation, part, post, power, province, purpose, raison d’être*,… …   New thesaurus

  • function — ► NOUN 1) an activity that is natural to or the purpose of a person or thing. 2) a large or formal social event or ceremony. 3) a computer operation corresponding to a single instruction from the user. 4) Mathematics a relation or expression… …   English terms dictionary

  • Function — Func tion (f[u^][ng]k sh[u^]n), Functionate Func tion*ate, v. i. To execute or perform a function; to transact one s regular or appointed business. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • function — function, functionalism Although the use of the concepts of function and functionalism is usually associated with the work of Talcott Parsons in modern sociology, there is a long tradition of functional explanation in studying societies, and a… …   Dictionary of sociology

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