Function and Objective

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.

• (a.) Of or pertaining to an object.
• (n.) An object glass. See under Object, n.
• (a.) Of or pertaining to an object; contained in or having the nature or position of, an object; outward; external; extrinsic; -- an epithet applied to whatever ir exterior to the mind or which is simply an object of thought or feeling, and opposed to subjective.
• (a.) Pertaining to or designating, the case which follows a transitive verb or a preposition, being that case in which the direct object of the verb is placed. See Accusative, n.
• (n.) The objective case.
• (n.) Same as Objective point, under Objective, a.

noun

• The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable. )
  • usage: "the sole object of her trip was to see her children"
  • synonyms: aim, object, target
• The lens or system of lenses in a telescope or microscope that is nearest the object being viewed.
  • synonyms: objective lens, object lens, object glass

adjective

• Undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena.
  • usage: "an objective appraisal"; "objective evidence"
  • synonyms: nonsubjective
• Serving as or indicating the object of a verb or of certain prepositions and used for certain other purposes.
  • usage: "objective case"; "accusative endings"
  • synonyms: accusative
• Emphasizing or expressing things as perceived without distortion of personal feelings, insertion of fictional matter, or interpretation.
  • usage: "objective art"
  • synonyms: documentary
• Belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events.
  • usage: "objective benefits"; "an objective example"; "there is no objective evidence of anything of the kind"

OBJECTIVE is a statement that is written in terms of specific measurable time-based and verifiable outcomes that challenge the organization to be more responsive to the environment to achieve the desired goals. Dependent upon usage, GOALS are general in nature, while OBJECTIVES are specific, measurable and time-based. In some organizations, the meanings for GOAL and OBJECTIVE are reversed.

(DoD) The specific target of the action taken (for example, a definite terrain feature, the seizure or holding of which is essential to the commander's plan, or, an enemy force or capability without regard to terrain features). See also target.
(DoD) The clearly defined, decisive, and attainable goal toward which every operation is directed.