Function and Spell

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

spell

A psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation.
- synonyms: enchantment, trance
A time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else. )
- usage: "it's my go"; "a spell of work"
- synonyms: go, tour, turn
A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition.
- usage: "he was here for a little while"; "I need to rest for a piece"; "a spell of good weather"; "a patch of bad weather"
- synonyms: while, piece, patch
A verbal formula believed to have magical force.
- usage: "he whispered a spell as he moved his hands"; "inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese"
- synonyms: magic spell, magical spell, charm

Orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of.
- usage: "How do you spell this word" "We had to spell out our names for the police officer"
- synonyms: spell out
Indicate or signify.
- usage: "I'm afraid this spells trouble"
- synonyms: import
Write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word. )
- usage: "He spelled the word wrong in this letter"
- synonyms: write
Relieve (someone) from work by taking a turn.
- usage: "She spelled her husband at the wheel"
Place under a spell.
Take turns working.
- usage: "the workers spell every four hours"

(n.) A story; a tale.
(v.i.) To study by noting characters; to gain knowledge or learn the meaning of anything, by study.
(v.t.) To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm.
(v.t.) To constitute; to measure.
(n.) A stanza, verse or phrase supposed to be endowed with magical power; an incantation; hence, any charm.
(v.t.) To supply the place of for a time; to take the turn of, at work; to relieve; as, to spell the helmsman.
(v.t.) To tell or name in their proper order letters of, as a word; to write or print in order the letters of, especially the proper letters; to form, as words, by correct orthography.
(v.t.) To discover by characters or marks; to read with difficulty; -- usually with out; as, to spell out the sense of an author; to spell out a verse in the Bible.
(n.) A gratuitous helping forward of another's work; as, a logging spell.
(n.) The relief of one person by another in any piece of work or watching; also, a turn at work which is carried on by one person or gang relieving another; as, a spell at the pumps; a spell at the masthead.
(n.) The time during which one person or gang works until relieved; hence, any relatively short period of time, whether a few hours, days or weeks.
(v.i.) To form words with letters, especially with the proper letters, either orally or in writing.
(n.) A spelk or splinter.
(v.t.) To tell; to relate; to teach.
(n.) One of two or more persons or gangs who work by spells.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary