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function

 - 8 dictionary results

func⋅tion

  [fuhngk-shuhn]
Use function in a Sentence
–noun
1. 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.
b. hyperbolic function.
6. Grammar.
a. the grammatical role a linguistic form has or the position it occupies in a particular construction.
b. the grammatical roles or the positions of a linguistic form or form class collectively.
7. Sociology. the contribution made by a sociocultural phenomenon to an ongoing social system.
–verb (used without object)
8. to perform a specified action or activity; work; operate: The computer isn't functioning now. He rarely functions before noon.
9. to have or exercise a function; serve: In earlier English the present tense often functioned as a future. This orange crate can function as a chair.
Origin:
1525–35; < L functiōn- (s. of functiō) a performance, execution, equiv. to funct(us) (ptp. of fungī) performed, executed + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To function
func·tion   (fŭngk'shən)   
n.  

  1. The action for which a person or thing is particularly fitted or employed.

    1. Assigned duty or activity.

    2. A specific occupation or role: in my function as chief editor.

    3. A variable so related to another that for each value assumed by one there is a value determined for the other.

    4. 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.

  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

    1. A variable so related to another that for each value assumed by one there is a value determined for the other.

    2. 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 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

function

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.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

function  (n.)
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1func·tion
Pronunciation: 'f&[ng](k)-sh&n
Function: noun
: any of a group of related actions contributing to a largeraction; especially : the normal and specific contribution of a bodily part to the economy of a living organism—see VITAL FUNCTION —func·tion·less /-l&s/ adjective

Main Entry: 2function
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Forms: func·tioned; func·tion·ing /-sh(&-)ni[ng]/
: to have a function functions to maintain the heat of the body>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

function func·tion (fŭngk'shən)
n.

  1. The physiological property or the special action of an organ or a body part.

  2. Something closely related to another thing and dependent on it for its existence, value, or significance, such as growth resulting from nutrition.

  3. A mathematical variable so related to another that for each value assumed by one there is a value determined for the other.

  4. 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.

  5. The general properties of a substance, depending on its chemical character and relation to other substances, that provide the basis upon which it may be grouped as among acids or bases.

  6. A particular reactive grouping in a molecule.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Computing Dictionary

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)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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