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functions - 3 dictionary results
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func⋅tion

  [fuhngk-shuhn]
Use functions 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 functions
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
function   (fŭngk'shən)  Pronunciation Key 
  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.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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