Function and Use

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

• The act of using.
  • usage: "he warned against the use of narcotic drugs"; "skilled in the utilization of computers"
  • synonyms: usage, utilization, utilisation, employment, exercise
• What something is used for.
  • usage: "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it"
  • synonyms: function, purpose, role
• A particular service.
  • usage: "he put his knowledge to good use"; "patrons have their uses"
• Economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing. (
  • usage: "the consumption of energy has increased steadily"
  • synonyms: consumption, economic consumption, usance, use of goods and services
• Psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition. (
  • usage: "owls have nocturnal habits"; "she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair"; "long use had hardened him to it"
  • synonyms: habit
• Exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage.
  • usage: "his manipulation of his friends was scandalous"
  • synonyms: manipulation
• Law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits of owning property. (
  • usage: "we were given the use of his boat"
  • synonyms: enjoyment

verb

• Put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose.
  • usage: "use your head"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"
  • synonyms: utilize, utilise, apply, employ
• Take or consume (regularly or habitually. )
  • usage: "She uses drugs rarely"
  • synonyms: habituate
• Use up, consume fully.
  • usage: "The legislature expended its time on school questions"
  • synonyms: expend
• Seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage.
  • usage: "She uses her influential friends to get jobs"; "The president's wife used her good connections"
• Avail oneself to.
  • usage: "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance"
  • synonyms: practice, apply
• Habitually do something (use only in the past tense. )
  • usage: "She used to call her mother every week but now she calls only occasionally"; "I used to get sick when I ate in that dining hall"; "They used to vacation in the Bahamas"

• (v.i.) To be accustomed to go; to frequent; to inhabit; to dwell; -- sometimes followed by of.
• (v.t.) Continued or repeated practice; customary employment; usage; custom; manner; habit.
• (v.i.) To be wont or accustomed; to be in the habit or practice; as, he used to ride daily; -- now disused in the present tense, perhaps because of the similarity in sound, between "use to," and "used to.".
• (v.t.) Yielding of service; advantage derived; capability of being used; usefulness; utility.
• (v.t.) To practice customarily; to make a practice of; as, to use diligence in business.
• (v.t.) The act of employing anything or of applying it to one's service; the state of being so employed or applied; application; employment; conversion to some purpose; as, the use of a pen in writing; his machines are in general use.
• (v.t.) The premium paid for the possession and employment of borrowed money; interest; usury.
• (v.t.) The special form of ritual adopted for use in any diocese; as, the Sarum or Canterbury, use; the Hereford use; the York use; the Roman use; etc.
• (v.t.) A stab of iron welded to the side of a forging, as a shaft, near the end, and afterward drawn down, by hammering, so as to lengthen the forging.
• (v.t.) To behave toward; to act with regard to; to treat; as, to use a beast cruelly.
• (v.t.) Common occurrence; ordinary experience.
• (v.t.) Occasion or need to employ; necessity; as, to have no further use for a book.
• (v.t.) To accustom; to habituate; to render familiar by practice; to inure; -- employed chiefly in the passive participle; as, men used to cold and hunger; soldiers used to hardships and danger.
• (v.t.) The benefit or profit of lands and tenements. Use imports a trust and confidence reposed in a man for the holding of lands. He to whose use or benefit the trust is intended shall enjoy the profits. An estate is granted and limited to A for the use of B.
• (v.t.) To make use of; to convert to one's service; to avail one's self of; to employ; to put a purpose; as, to use a plow; to use a chair; to use time; to use flour for food; to use water for irrigation.

Use is the specific purpose for which a parcel or a building is intended to be used or for which it has been designed or arranged.