the kind of action or activity proper to a person, thing, or institution; the purpose for which something is designed or exists; role.
2.
any ceremonious public or social gathering or occasion.
3.
a factor related to or dependent upon other factors: Price is a function of supply and demand.
4.
Mathematics.
a.
Also called correspondence, map, mapping, transformation.a relation between two sets in which one element of the second set is assigned to each element of the first set, as the expression y = x2; operator.
b.
Also called multiple-value function.a relation between two sets in which two or more elements of the second set are assigned to each element of the first set, as y2 = x2, which assigns to every x the two values y = +x and y = −x.
c.
a set of ordered pairs in which none of the first elements of the pairs appears twice.
5.
Geometry.
a.
a formula expressing a relation between the angles of a triangle and its sides, as sine or cosine.
The action for which a person or thing is particularly fitted or employed.
Assigned duty or activity.
A specific occupation or role: in my function as chief editor.
A variable so related to another that for each value assumed by one there is a value determined for the other.
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.
An official ceremony or a formal social occasion.
Something closely related to another thing and dependent on it for its existence, value, or significance: Growth is a function of nutrition.
Abbr. fMathematics
A variable so related to another that for each value assumed by one there is a value determined for the other.
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.
Biology The physiological activity of an organ or body part.
Chemistry The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound, resulting from the presence of a specific functional group.
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 fūnctiō, fūnctiōn-, performance, execution, from fūnctus, past participle of fungī, to perform, execute.]
func'tion·less adj.
Synonyms: 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.
1533, from M.Fr. fonction, from O.Fr. function, from L. functio (gen. functionis) "performance, execution," from functus, pp. of fungi "perform, execute, discharge." Use in mathematics probably begun by Leibnitz (1692). Functional as a term in architecture meaning "utilitarian" is from 1928. Functionary "one who has a certain function" is 1791, from Fr. fonctionnaire, a word of the Revolution.
(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)
2.
what something is used for; "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"
3.
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"
4.
a relation such that one thing is dependent on another; "height is a function of age"; "price is a function of supply and demand"
5.
a formal or official social gathering or ceremony; "it was a black-tie function"
6.
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" [syn: affair]
7.
a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program [syn: routine]
verb
1.
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" [ant: malfunction]
2.
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" [syn: serve]
3.
perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function; "His wife officiated as his private secretary" [syn: officiate]
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.
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.
In mathematics, a quantity whose value is determined by the value of some other quantity. For example, “The yield of this field is a function of the amount of fertilizer applied” means that a given amount of fertilizer will yield an amount of whatever crop is growing.
function 1. (Or "map", "mapping") If D and C are sets (the domain and codomain) then a function f from D to C, normally written "f : D -> C" is a subset of D x C such that: 1. For each d in D there exists some c in C such that (d,c) is an element of f. I.e. the function is defined for every element of D. 2. For each d in D, c1 and c2 in C, if both (d,c1) and (d,c2) are elements of f then c1 = c2. I.e. the function is uniquely defined for every element of D. See also image, inverse, partial function. 2. Computing usage derives from the mathematical term but is much less strict. In programming (except in functional programming), a function may return different values each time it is called with the same argument values and may have side effects. A procedure is a function which returns no value but has only side-effects. The C language, for example, has no procedures, only functions. ANSI C even defines a type, void, for the result of a function that has no result. (1996-09-01)
Cir"cu*lar\, a. [L. circularis, fr. circulus circle: cf. F. circulaire. See Circle.]1. In the form of, or bounded by, a circle; round. 2. repeating itself; ending in itself; reverting to the point of beginning; hence, illogical; inconclusive; as, circular reasoning. 3. Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior. See Cyclic poets, under Cyclic. Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered to history, how could the Romans have had Dido? --Dennis. 4. Addressed to a circle, or to a number of persons having a common interest; circulated, or intended for circulation; as, a circular letter. A proclamation of Henry III., . . . doubtless circular throughout England. --Hallam. 5. Perfect; complete. [Obs.] A man so absolute and circular In all those wished-for rarities that may take A virgin captive. --Massinger. Circular are, any portion of the circumference of a circle. Circular cubics (Math.), curves of the third order which are imagined to pass through the two circular points at infinity. Circular functions. (Math.) See under Function. Circular instruments, mathematical instruments employed for measuring angles, in which the graduation extends round the whole circumference of a circle, or 360[deg]. Circular lines, straight lines pertaining to the circle, as sines, tangents, secants, etc. Circularnote or letter. (a) (Com.) See under Credit. (b) (Diplomacy) A letter addressed in identical terms to a number of persons. Circular numbers (Arith.), those whose powers terminate in the same digits as the roots themselves; as 5 and 6, whose squares are 25 and 36. --Bailey. --Barlow. Circular points at infinity (Geom.), two imaginary points at infinite distance through which every circle in the plane is, in the theory of curves, imagined to pass. Circular polarization. (Min.) See under Polarization. Circular or Globularsailing (Naut.), the method of sailing by the arc of a great circle. Circular saw. See under Saw.
De*funct"\ a. [L. defunctus, p. p. of defungi to acquit one's self of, to perform, finish, depart, die; de + fungi to perform, discharge: cf. F. d['e]funt. See Function.] Having finished the course of life; dead; deceased. "Defunct organs." --Shak. The boar, defunct, lay tripped up, near. --Byron.
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