funct-, fungi-

1. The energy which is necessary to remove an electron with the Fermi energy in a solid to the energy level of an electron at rest in a vacuum outside the solid.
2. The energy required to raise an electron with the Fermi energy (average energy of electrons in a metal) in a solid to the energy level of an inactive electron in a vacuum outside the solid.

The term Fermi energy is named after Enrico Fermi (1901-1954), an Italian nuclear physicist and refers to the level in the distribution of electron energies in a solid at which a quantum state is equally likely to be occupied or empty.

1. An action or use for which something is suited or designed.
2. An activity or role assigned to someone or something: "The function of a lawyer is to advise a client of his legal rights."
3. A social gathering or ceremony; especially, a formal or official occasion: "There are many functions that the head of a state must attend."
4. A quality or characteristic that depends upon and varies with another quality.
5. The action or purpose performed by an organ, part, or substance of the body: "It is the function of the heart to pump blood through the body's system."
6. The characteristic action of a compound due to its composition or structure.
7. Etymology: from Middle French fonction, from Old French function, from Latin functio, functionis, "performance, execution"; from functus, past participle of fungi, "perform, execute, discharge".

To operate or to perform properly: "When a fuse breaks down, an electrical circuit stops functioning."

"A clock or watch functions as a means of keeping time."

"An overcoat functions as a way to keep warmer in cold weather."

1. Having a practical application or serving a useful purpose.
2. In good working order or working at the moment.
3. Without apparent organic or structural cause; such as, functional disorder.

Someone whose reading and writing abilities are inadequately developed to meet everyday needs: A functional illiterate does not have the skill to manage daily living and employment tasks which require reading skills beyond the basic level.

A functional illiterate can also be a foreigner who is not able to read or write in the native language where he or she lives.

The level of skill in reading and writing that an individual needs to cope with everyday life: Max, whose native language was German, achieved the standard of functional literacy in California after completing college and language tests in English, and could then apply for a position in the firm of his choice.

1. Belief that the intended function of something should determine its design, construction, and choice of materials, or a 20th-century design movement based on this.
2. Any philosophy or system that gives practical and utilitarian concerns priority over aesthetic concerns.
3. Any doctrine that stresses utility or purpose.
4. The analysis and explanation of social institutions according to the function they perform in society; for example, the family is seen as an institution for social stability and cohesion.

Functionalism is one of the early schools of psychological thought which took as the proper subject matter for psychological study those mental processes or chains of actions that demonstrate a usefulness in the adjustment of the organism to its environment.

The principles of functionalism have been absorbed into the main themes of contemporary psychology.

1. Someone who advocates, or works according to, the principles of functionalism.
2. A reference to functionalism.
3. Built or made according to the principles of functionalism by someone who is associated with the movement.

1. The quality of being functional or serving a purpose well.
2. A useful function within a computer application or program.
3. The capacity of a computer program or application to provide a useful function.

To make something or someone of practical usage: Adam's poor health has prevented him from being able to functionalize as much as he needs to before he can go back to work.

1. Capable of operating or functioning.
2. Having or serving a utilitarian purpose.
3. Capable of serving the purpose for which has been designed.

1. Someone who performs official duties; especially, a person whose duties may be regarded as trivial or insignificant.
2. A person who functions in a specified capacity; especially, in government service; an official: civil servants, bureaucrats, and other functionaries.
3. Anyone who holds an office or a trust or who performs a particular function; such as, an official.

1. Carrying out an activity.
2. Performing or able to perform a regular function.

Incapable of performing the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person, a thing, or a group, etc.

Someone or something that performs an operation, activity, or a function.