Function and Flow

function

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

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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

flow

The motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases.
- synonyms: flowing
The amount of fluid that flows in a given time.
- synonyms: flow rate, rate of flow
The act of flowing or streaming; continuous progression.
- synonyms: stream
Any uninterrupted stream or discharge.
Something that resembles a flowing stream in moving continuously.
- usage: "a stream of people emptied from the terminal"; "the museum had planned carefully for the flow of visitors"
- synonyms: stream
Dominant course (suggestive of running water) of successive events or ideas.
- usage: "two streams of development run through American history"; "stream of consciousness"; "the flow of thought"; "the current of history"
- synonyms: stream, current
The monthly discharge of blood from the uterus of nonpregnant women from puberty to menopause."the women were sickly and subject to excessive menstruation"; "a woman does not take the gout unless her menses be stopped-Hippocrates; "the semen begins to appear in males and to be emitted at the same time of life that the catamenia begin to flow in females-Aristotle
- synonyms: menstruation, menses, menstruum, catamenia, period

Move or progress freely as if in a stream.
- usage: "The crowd flowed out of the stadium"
- synonyms: flux
Move along, of liquids.
- usage: "Water flowed into the cave"; "the Missouri feeds into the Mississippi"
- synonyms: run, feed, course
Cause to flow.
- usage: "The artist flowed the washes on the paper"
Be abundantly present.
- usage: "The champagne flowed at the wedding"
Fall or flow in a certain way.
- usage: "This dress hangs well"; "Her long black hair flowed down her back"
- synonyms: hang, fall
Cover or swamp with water.
Undergo menstruation.
- usage: "She started menstruating at the age of 11"
- synonyms: menstruate

(v.i.) To proceed; to issue forth; as, wealth flows from industry and economy.
(n.) Any gentle, gradual movement or procedure of thought, diction, music or the like, resembling the quiet, steady movement of a river; a stream.
(n.) The tidal setting in of the water from the ocean to the shore. See Ebb and flow, under Ebb.
(v.i.) To rise, as the tide; -- opposed to ebb; as, the tide flows twice in twenty-four hours.
(v.t.) To cover with water or other liquid; to overflow; to inundate; to flood.
(n.) A stream of water or other fluid; a current; as, a flow of water; a flow of blood.
(v.i.) To move with a continual change of place among the particles or parts, as a fluid; to change place or circulate, as a liquid; as, rivers flow from springs and lakes; tears flow from the eyes.
(v.i.) To have or be in abundance; to abound; to full, so as to run or flow over; to be copious.
(n.) A continuous movement of something abundant; as, a flow of words.
(v.t.) To cover with varnish.
imp. sing. of Fly, v. i.
(v.i.) To become liquid; to melt.
(v.i.) To hang loose and waving; as, a flowing mantle; flowing locks.
(n.) A low-lying piece of watery land; -- called also flow moss and flow bog.
(v.i.) To glide along smoothly, without harshness or asperties; as, a flowing period; flowing numbers; to sound smoothly to the ear; to be uttered easily.
(v.i.) To discharge blood in excess from the uterus.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary