func·tion (f ngk sh n)n.1. The action for which a person or thing is particularly fitted or employed. 2. a. Assigned duty or activity. b. A specific occupation or role: in my function as chief editor. 3. An official ceremony or a formal social occasion. 4. Something closely related to another thing and dependent on it for its existence, value, or significance: Growth is a function of nutrition. 5. Abbr. f Mathematics a. A variable so related to another that for each value assumed by one there is a value determined for the other. b. A rule of correspondence between two sets such that there is a unique element in the second set assigned to each element in the first set. 6. Biology The physiological activity of an organ or body part. 7. Chemistry The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound, resulting from the presence of a specific functional group. 8. Computer Science A procedure within an application. intr.v. func·tioned, func·tion·ing, func·tions To have or perform a function; serve: functioned as ambassador.
[Latin f ncti , f ncti n-, performance, execution, from f nctus, past participle of fung , to perform, execute.]
func tion·less adj. Synonyms: function, duty, office, role These nouns denote the actions and activities assigned to, required of, or expected of a person: the function of a teacher; a bank clerk's duty; assumed the office of financial adviser; the role of a parent. |
function Noun 1. the intended role or purpose of a person or thing 2. an official or formal social gathering 3. a factor, the precise nature of which depends upon another thing in some way: muscle breakdown is a function of vitamin E deficiency 4. Maths a quantity, the value of which depends on the varying value of another quantity 5. a sequence of operations that a computer or calculator performs when a specified key is pressed Verb 1. to operate or work 2. function as to perform the action or role of (something or someone else) [Latin functio]
function (f ngk sh n)1. A relationship between two sets that matches each member of the first set with a unique member of the second set. Functions are often expressed as an equation, such as y = x + 5, meaning that y is a function of x such that for any value of x, the value of y will be 5 greater than x. 2. A quantity whose value depends on the value given to one or more related quantities. For example, the area of a square is a function of the length of its sides. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | function - (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)math, mathematics, maths - a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement expansion - a function expressed as a sum or product of terms; "the expansion of (a+b)^2 is a^2 + 2ab + b^2" inverse function - a function obtained by expressing the dependent variable of one function as the independent variable of another; f and g are inverse functions if f(x)=y and g(y)=x Kronecker delta - a function of two variables i and j that equals 1 when i=j and equals 0 otherwise metric, metric function - a function of a topological space that gives, for any two points in the space, a value equal to the distance between them transformation - (mathematics) a function that changes the position or direction of the axes of a coordinate system isometry - a one-to-one mapping of one metric space into another metric space that preserves the distances between each pair of points; "the isometries of the cube" operator - (mathematics) a symbol or function representing a mathematical operation threshold function - a function that takes the value 1 if a specified function of the arguments exceeds a given threshold and 0 otherwise | | 2. | function - what something is used for; "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?" | | 3. | function - the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group; "the function of a teacher"; "the government must do its part"; "play its role"duty - work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons; "the duties of the job" capacity - a specified function; "he was employed in the capacity of director"; "he should be retained in his present capacity at a higher salary" hat - an informal term for a person's role; "he took off his politician's hat and talked frankly" portfolio - the role of the head of a government department; "he holds the portfolio for foreign affairs" lieu, stead, place, position - the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another; "can you go in my stead?"; "took his place"; "in lieu of" second fiddle - a secondary role or function; "he hated to play second fiddle to anyone" | | 4. | function - a relation such that one thing is dependent on another; "height is a function of age"; "price is a function of supply and demand"relation - an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together | | 5. | function - a formal or official social gathering or ceremony; "it was a black-tie function" | | 6. | function - a vaguely specified social event; "the party was quite an affair"; "an occasion arranged to honor the president"; "a seemingly endless round of social functions"social event - an event characteristic of persons forming groups party - an occasion on which people can assemble for social interaction and entertainment; "he planned a party to celebrate Bastille Day" fundraiser - a social function that is held for the purpose of raising money photo op, photo opportunity - an occasion that lends itself to (or is deliberately arranged for) taking photographs that provide favorable publicity for those who are photographed sleepover - an occasion of spending a night away from home or having a guest spend the night in your home (especially as a party for children) | | 7. | function - a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer programcataloged procedure - a set of control statements that have been placed in a library and can be retrieved by name contingency procedure - an alternative to the normal procedure; triggered if an unusual but anticipated situation arises library routine - a debugged routine that is maintained in a program library tracing routine - a routine that provides a chronological record of the execution of a computer program | | Verb | 1. | function - perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore"double - do double duty; serve two purposes or have two functions; "She doubles as his wife and secretary" roll - begin operating or running; "The cameras were rolling"; "The presses are already rolling" run - be operating, running or functioning; "The car is still running--turn it off!" run - be operating, running or functioning; "The car is still running--turn it off!" cut - function as a cutting instrument; "This knife cuts well" work - operate in or through; "Work the phones" service, serve - be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses" | | 2. | function - serve a purpose, role, or function; "The tree stump serves as a table"; "The female students served as a control group"; "This table would serve very well"; "His freedom served him well"; "The table functions as a desk"service, serve - be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses" suffice, answer, do, serve - be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity; "A few words would answer"; "This car suits my purpose well"; "Will $100 do?"; "A 'B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school"; "Nothing else will serve" prelude - serve as a prelude or opening to act as - function as or act like; "This heap of stones will act as a barrier" | | 3. | function - perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function; "His wife officiated as his private secretary"serve - do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function; "He served as head of the department for three years"; "She served in Congress for two terms" |
function noun 1. purpose, business, job, concern, use, part, office, charge, role, post, operation, situation, activity, exercise, responsibility, task, duty, mission, employment, capacity, province, occupation, raison d'être ( French) verb 4. (with as) act, serve, operate, perform, behave, officiate, act the part of, do duty, have the role of, be in commission, be in operation or action, serve your turn
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