ˈfʌnŋkʃən n. & v. --n. 1 a an
activity proper to a
person or
institution. b a
mode of
action or activity by
which a
thing fulfils
its purpose. c an
official or
professional duty; an
employment,
profession, or
calling. 2 a a
public ceremony or
occasion. b a
social gathering,
esp. a
large,
formal, or
important one. 3
Math. a
variable quantity regarded in
relation to
another or others in terms of which it
may be expressed or on which its
value depends (x is a function of y
and z). 4 a
part of a program
that corresponds to a
single value. --v.intr.
fulfil a function,
operate; be in
working order. øøfunctionless adj. [F fonction f. L functio -onis f.
fungi functperform]