FUNCTIONED
Verb
functioned
simple past tense and past participle of function
Anagrams
• defunction
Source: Wiktionary
FUNCTION
Func"tion, n. Etym: [L. functio, fr. fungi to perform, execute, akin
to Skr. bhuj to enjoy, have the use of: cf. F. fonction. Cf.
Defunct.]
1. The act of executing or performing any duty, office, or calling;
per formance. "In the function of his public calling." Swift.
2. (Physiol.)
Definition: The appropriate action of any special organ or part of an
animal or vegetable organism; as, the function of the heart or the
limbs; the function of leaves, sap, roots, etc.; life is the sum of
the functions of the various organs and parts of the body.
3. The natural or assigned action of any power or faculty, as of the
soul, or of the intellect; the exertion of an energy of some
determinate kind.
As the mind opens, and its functions spread. Pope.
4. The course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public
officer in church or state; the activity appropriate to any business
or profession.
Tradesmen . . . going about their functions. Shak.
The malady which made him incapable of performing his regal
functions. Macaulay.
5. (Math.)
Definition: A quantity so connected with another quantity, that if any
alteration be made in the latter there will be a consequent
alteration in the former. Each quantity is said to be a function of
the other. Thus, the circumference of a circle is a function of the
diameter. If x be a symbol to which different numerical values can be
assigned, such expressions as x2, 3x, Log. x, and Sin. x, are all
functions of x. Algebraic function, a quantity whose connection with
the variable is expressed by an equation that involves only the
algebraic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, raising to a given power, and extracting a given root; --
opposed to transcendental function.
– Arbitrary function. See under Arbitrary.
– Calculus of functions. See under Calculus.
– Carnot's function (Thermo-dynamics), a relation between the
amount of heat given off by a source of heat, and the work which can
be done by it. It is approximately equal to the mechanical equivalent
of the thermal unit divided by the number expressing the temperature
in degrees of the air thermometer, reckoned from its zero of
expansion.
– Circular functions. See Inverse trigonometrical functions
(below).
– Continuous function, a quantity that has no interruption in the
continuity of its real values, as the variable changes between any
specified limits.
– Discontinuous function. See under Discontinuous.
– Elliptic functions, a large and important class of functions, so
called because one of the forms expresses the relation of the arc of
an ellipse to the straight lines connected therewith.
– Explicit function, a quantity directly expressed in terms of the
independently varying quantity; thus, in the equations y = 6x2, y =
10 -x3, the quantity y is an explicit function of x.
– Implicit function, a quantity whose relation to the variable is
expressed indirectly by an equation; thus, y in the equation x2 + y2
= 100 is an implicit function of x.
– Inverse trigonometrical functions, or Circular function, the
lengths of arcs relative to the sines, tangents, etc. Thus, AB is the
arc whose sine is BD, and (if the length of BD is x) is written sin -
1x, and so of the other lines. See Trigonometrical function (below).
Other transcendental functions are the exponential functions, the
elliptic functions, the gamma functions, the theta functions, etc.
– One-valued function, a quantity that has one, and only one, value
for each value of the variable.
– Transcendental functions, a quantity whose connection with the
variable cannot be expressed by algebraic operations; thus, y in the
equation y = 10x is a transcendental function of x. See Algebraic
function (above).
– Trigonometrical function, a quantity whose relation to the
variable is the same as that of a certain straight line drawn in a
circle whose radius is unity, to the length of a corresponding are of
the circle. Let AB be an arc in a circle, whose radius OA is unity
let AC be a quadrant, and let OC, DB, and AF be drawnpependicular to
OA, and EB and CG parallel to OA, and let OB be produced to G and F.
E Then BD is the sine of the arc AB; OD or EB is the cosine, AF is
the tangent, CG is the cotangent, OF is the secant OG is the
cosecant, AD is the versed sine, and CE is the coversed sine of the
are AB. If the length of AB be represented by x (OA being unity) then
the lengths of Functions. these lines (OA being unity) are the
trigonometrical functions of x, and are written sin x, cos x, tan x
(or tang x), cot x, sec x, cosec x, versin x, coversin x. These
quantities are also considered as functions of the angle BOA.
Func"tion, Func"tion*ate, v. i.
Definition: To execute or perform a function; to transact one's regular or
appointed business.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition