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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)

function Related Forms
func′·tion·less adjective
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 Synonyms

function

v.

perform, run, work; see operate 2.

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.
  • fulfill: Magix Music Maker 2003 fulfills a similar function, allowing users to also add their own live instruments and vocals to the mix.
  • serve: These devices all serve some function in the home, or they wouldn't exist.
  • define: The parser module defines functions for a few distinct purposes.
  • exercise: Religious organizations don't exercise any state functions Religious organizations don't interfere with the matters of the State.
  • combine: Consumers were seeking already a card that combines both functions.

Adjective modifier

  • renal: Ensure appropriate renal function - monitoring urine output is normally easiest.
  • bodily: Eating is like other bodily functions -- sleeping, peeing, walking, and sneezing.
  • cognitive: The men's diet was assessed and cognitive function was evaluated in 1990 and 1993 using the Mini-Mental State scale.
  • immune: Its causes are unknown but there are clear abnormalities in the way the immune system functions in patients.
  • administrative: Their administrative function was replaced by county councils, established in 1889, but their judicial function was not abolished until 1971.
  • normal: Many normal metabolic functions produce free radicals - highly unstable forms of oxygen, which in excess cause oxidative stress leading to cell damage.

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.
  • liver: It is important that your liver function is carefully measured before you have surgery.
  • brain: This enables researchers to examine brain function in healthy tissue for a comparison.
  • kidney: Use antibiotics with care You should use an antibiotic with care if you have reduced liver or kidney function.
  • wave: Running time: This strongly depends on the atomic system and the size of the wave function expansion as applied to the GRASP92 package.
  • callback: This callback function will be called when the output is finally thrown.
function Quotes

A parler humainement, la mort a un bel endroit, qui est de mettre fin a'   la vieillesse. To speak humanely, death has a useful function: it puts an end to old age.

—La Bruye'  re,Jean de

The economic services that it can render are picayune compared to the moral effect that it produces, and its true function is to create in two or more persons a feeling of solidarity.

—Durkheim, EŁ  mile

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

The function of kings consists primarily of using good sense, which always comes naturally and easily.Our work is sometimes less difficult than our amusements.

—Louis XIV knownas the Great or leRoiSoleil [theSunKing]

The function of literature through all its mutations, has been to make us aware of the particularity of selves, and thehigh authorityof theself in its quarrel with its society and its culture. Literature is in that sense subversive.

—Trillin, Calvin Marshall

The function of news is to signalize an event, the functionoftruth istobring to lightthehiddenfacts, toset them into relationwith each other, and make a picture of reality on which men can act.Only at those points, where social conditions take recognizable and measurable shape, do the body of truth and the body of news coincide.

—Lippmann,Walter

The function of poetry is religious invocation of the Muse; its use is the experience of mixed exaltation and horror that her presence excites.

—Graves, Robert von Ranke

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

—Burroughs,William S(eward)

I should like to know what is the proper function of women, if it isnot tomakereasons for husbandstostayat home, and still stronger reasons for bachelors to go out.

—Eliot, George pseudonym of  MaryAnn Evans

   A balance, an ennobling interchange Of action from without and from within; The excellence, pure function, and best power Both of the object seen, and eye that sees.

—Wordsworth,William

   Science is intimately integrated with the whole social structure and cultural tradition. They mutually support one anotheröonly in certain types of society can science flourish, and conversely without a continuous and healthy development and application of science such a society cannot function properly.

—Parry, Sir Charles Hubert Hastings

Dessa civiliza c° a‹  o so¤   pode sair quem tem como fun c° a‹  o especial a de sair: a um cientista e¤   dada a licen c° a, a um padre e¤   dada a permissa‹  o. Mas na‹  o a uma mulher que nem sequer tem as garantias de um t|¤tulo. Only he whose special function is departure can depart from that civilization: a scientist isgiven license, a priest isgiven permission. But these are not given to a woman who does not even have the guarantee of a title.

—Lispector, Clarice

Still glides the stream, and shall for ever glide; The Form remains, the function never dies; While we, the brave, the mighty, and the wise, We Men, who in our morn of youth defied The elements, must vanish;öbe it so!

—Wordsworth,William