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function
function definition
func·tion (fuŋk′s̸hən)
noun
- 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
- a special duty or performance required in the course of work or activity the function of an auditor, the function of the brakes
- occupation or employment
- a formal ceremony or elaborate social occasion
- a thing that depends on and varies with something else
- an action which is part of a series leading to a resulting action
- 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
- any of the roles that a linguistic form can fulfill in an utterance
- 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
- to act in a required or expected manner; work
- to have a function; serve or be used (as)
Related Forms:
- functionless func′·tion·less adjective
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