Function and Direction

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

• A line leading to a place or point.
  • usage: "he looked the other direction"; "didn't know the way home"
  • synonyms: way
• The spatial relation between something and the course along which it points or moves.
  • usage: "he checked the direction and velocity of the wind"
• A general course along which something has a tendency to develop.
  • usage: "I couldn't follow the direction of his thoughts"; "his ideals determined the direction of his career"; "they proposed a new direction for the firm"
• Something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action.
  • synonyms: guidance, counsel, counseling, counselling
• The act of managing something.
  • usage: "he was given overall management of the program"; "is the direction of the economy a function of government"
  • synonyms: management
• A message describing how something is to be done.
  • usage: "he gave directions faster than she could follow them"
  • synonyms: instruction
• The act of setting and holding a course.
  • usage: "a new council was installed under the direction of the king"
  • synonyms: steering, guidance
• A formal statement of a command or injunction to do something.
  • usage: "the judge's charge to the jury"
  • synonyms: commission, charge
• The concentration of attention or energy on something.
  • usage: "the focus of activity shifted to molecular biology"; "he had no direction in his life"
  • synonyms: focus, focusing, focussing, focal point, centering

• (n.) The name and residence of a person to whom any thing is sent, written upon the thing sent; superscription; address; as, the direction of a letter.
• (n.) The act of directing, of aiming, regulating, guiding or ordering; guidance; management; superintendence; administration; as, the direction o/ public affairs or of a bank.
• (n.) That which is imposed by directing; a guiding or authoritative instruction; prescription; order; command; as, he grave directions to the servants.
• (n.) The body of managers of a corporation or enterprise; board of directors.
• (n.) The pointing of a piece with reference to an imaginary vertical axis; -- distinguished from elevation. The direction is given when the plane of sight passes through the object.
• (n.) The line or course upon which anything is moving or aimed to move or in which anything is lying or pointing; aim; line or point of tendency; direct line or course; as, the ship sailed in a southeasterly direction.

1. A document containing written instructions to a person to do a certain thing in a certain way. 2. A point on a compass, used in legal descriptions.

(DoD) In artillery and naval gunfire support, a term used by a spotter and/or observer in a call for fire to indicate the bearing of the spotting line. See also bearing; naval gunfire support; spotter; spotting line.