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function definition

func·tion (fuŋk′s̸hən)

noun

  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
    1. an action which is part of a series leading to a resulting action
    2. 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

Etymology: OFr < L functio < pp. of fungi, to perform < IE base *bheug-, to enjoy > Sans bhuṅktē, (he) enjoys

intransitive verb

  1. to act in a required or expected manner; work
  2. to have a function; serve or be used (as)

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical function definition - medical

function Synonyms

function

n.

  1. Use

    employment, capacity, office, duty, faculty, role, purpose; see also use 2.

  2. A social gathering

    celebration, reception, get-together; see gathering, party 1.

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


function

v.

perform, run, work; see operate 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

function Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • gene: Many biotech and pharmaceutical companies have also been attracted to the ease with which fish can be used to study the function of genes.

Converse of object

  • perform: I started out arguing that a phone only needed to perform a few very specific functions.

Adjective modifier

  • renal: Ensure appropriate renal function - monitoring urine output is normally easiest.

Modifies a noun

  • suite: A choice of function suites, several of which enjoy stunning views over the Great Lake.

Noun used with modifier

  • lung: It is important to keep a patients chest free of any chest infection to help their lung function to improve.
function usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

function quotes

Virtue issimply happiness, and happiness is a by-product of function.You are happy when you are functioning.

-Burroughs,William S(eward)

The more books we read, the sooner we perceive that the only function of a writer isto producea masterpiece. No other task is of any consequence.

-Connolly, Cyril Vernon

The function of criticism is the reeducation of perception of works of art† The conception that its business is to appraise, to judge in the legal and moral sense, arrests the perception of those who are influenced by the criticism that assumes this task.

-Dewey,John

function quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"function." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/function>

APA Style

function. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/function

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