functional English · revision 6534

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1631}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈfʌŋkt͡ʃənəl/, /ˈfʌŋkt͡ʃnəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[function]] and [[-al]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) or from Medieval Latin [[m|la-med|functionalis]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of or pertaining to a function or office; official: 1631 in the OED, 1633 in MWU, the 1630s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In mathematics, relating to a function, it is from 1806.^(OED 1989) Of an organ, serving a function, is from 1843,^(OED 1989) and in medicine a functional disorder is one affecting the working of an organ rather than its structure.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD) Practical or utilitarian is by 1864,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and in architecture and design, with use rather than ornament as the main aim, from 1928.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Working or able to work is a later sense, as in ''fully functional''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1631 – relating to an office.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1806 – in mathematics.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1843 – of an organ.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1864 – practical, utilitarian.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1928 – in architecture.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Designed to be practical and useful rather than decorative; [[utilitarian]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Working or able to work properly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of or relating to a function.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(medicine)'' Affecting the working of an organ but not its structure.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[functionality]]

+ * [[functionally]]

+ * [[functional analysis]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[function]]

+ * [[functionary]]

+ * [[dysfunctional]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}