Functioning and Steering

noun

• Process or manner of functioning or operating.
  • usage: "the power of its engine determines its operation"; "the plane's operation in high winds"; "they compared the cooking performance of each oven"; "the jet's performance conformed to high standards"
  • synonyms: operation, performance

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: function, 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, function
• Perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function.
  • usage: "His wife officiated as his private secretary"
  • synonyms: officiate, function

adjective

• Performing or able to perform its regular function.
  • usage: "a functioning flashlight"

noun

• The act of guiding or showing the way.
  • synonyms: guidance
• The act of setting and holding a course.
  • usage: "a new council was installed under the direction of the king"
  • synonyms: guidance, direction
• The act of steering a ship.
  • synonyms: steerage

verb

• Direct the course; determine the direction of travelling.
  • synonyms: steer, maneuver, manoeuver, manoeuvre, direct, point, head, guide, channelize, channelise
• Direct (oneself) somewhere.
  • usage: "Steer clear of him"
  • synonyms: steer
• Be a guiding or motivating force or drive.
  • usage: "The teacher steered the gifted students towards the more challenging courses"
  • synonyms: guide, steer

• (p.pr.&vb.n.) of Steer.
• a. & n. from Steer, v.

steering is the illegal practice of channeling homeseekers interested in equivalent properties to particular areas, either to maintain the homogeneity of an area or to change the character of an area to create a speculative situation. This practice makes certain homes unavailable to homeseekers on the basis of race or national origin, and on these grounds it is prohibited by the provisions of the federal fair housing act. Steering is often difficult to detect, however, because the steering tactics can be so subtle that the homeseeker is unaware that his or her choice has been limited. Steering could be a licensee's use of a word, phrase or act that is intended to influence the choice of a prospective property buyer on a discriminatory basis.