Function and Capacity

noun

• 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. ()
  • synonyms: mathematical function, single-valued function, map, mapping
• What something is used for.
  • usage: "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it"
  • synonyms: purpose, role, use
• The actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group.
  • usage: "the function of a teacher"; "the government must do its part"; "play its role"
  • synonyms: office, part, role
• A relation such that one thing is dependent on another.
  • usage: "height is a function of age"; "price is a function of supply and demand"
• A formal or official social gathering or ceremony.
  • usage: "it was a black-tie function"
• A vaguely specified social event.
  • usage: "the party was quite an affair"; "an occasion arranged to honor the president"; "a seemingly endless round of social functions"
  • synonyms: affair, occasion, social occasion, social function
• A set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program.
  • synonyms: routine, subroutine, subprogram, procedure

verb

• Perform as expected when applied.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: work, operate, go, run
• Serve a purpose, role, or function.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: serve
• Perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function.
  • usage: "His wife officiated as his private secretary"
  • synonyms: officiate

• (v.i.) Alternative of Functionate.
• (n.) The course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public officer in church or state; the activity appropriate to any business or profession.
• (n.) 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.
• (n.) The act of executing or performing any duty, office or calling; per formance.
• (n.) 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.
• (n.) 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.
• (n.) A public or social ceremony or gathering; a festivity or entertainment, especially one somewhat formal.
• (n.) A religious ceremony, especially one particularly impressive and elaborate.

noun

• Capability to perform or produce.
  • usage: "among his gifts is his capacity for true altruism"; "limited runway capacity"; "a great capacity for growth"
• The susceptibility of something to a particular treatment.
  • usage: "the capability of a metal to be fused"
  • synonyms: capability
• The amount that can be contained.
  • usage: "the gas tank has a capacity of 12 gallons"
  • synonyms: content
• The maximum production possible.
  • usage: "the plant is working at 80 per cent capacity"
• A specified function.
  • usage: "he was employed in the capacity of director"; "he should be retained in his present capacity at a higher salary"
• Computer science) the amount of information (in bytes) that can be stored on a disk drive. (
  • usage: "the capacity of a hard disk drive is usually expressed in megabytes"
• An electrical phenomenon whereby an electric charge is stored.
  • synonyms: capacitance, electrical capacity
• The power to learn or retain knowledge; in law, the ability to understand the facts and significance of your behavior.
  • synonyms: mental ability
• Tolerance for alcohol.
  • usage: "he had drunk beyond his capacity"

• (n.) Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter.
• (n.) Ability; power pertaining to or resulting from, the possession of strength, wealth or talent; possibility of being or of doing.
• (n.) The power of receiving or containing; extent of room or space; passive power; -- used in reference to physical things.
• (n.) The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.; the comprehensiveness of the mind; the receptive faculty; capability of undestanding or feeling.
• (n.) Legal or noral qualification, as of age, residence, character, etc., necessary for certain purposes, as for holding office, for marrying, for making contracts, will, etc.; legal power or right; competency.

In general, the maximum volume of liquid or gas that can be pumped through a pipeline, or the maximum load that a generating unit or station can carry under specified conditions for a given period of time, or the total storage space or volume of a warehouse or storage container or tank farm.