noun pur·pose \ˈpər-pəs\
Definition:
1) the reason why something is done or used: the aim or intention of something
2) the feeling of being determined to do or achieve something
3) the aim or goal of a person: what a person is trying to do, become, etc.
4) a subject under discussion or an action in course of execution
5.a) something set up as an object or end to be attained: intention
b) resolution, determination
Adverb: on purpose: by intent: intentionally
Synonyms:
aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream,
end, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point,
pretension, goal, target, thing
Origin and etymology:
Middle English purpos, from Anglo-French,
from purposer to intend, propose,
from Latin proponere (perfect indicative proposui) to propose
noun func·tion \ˈfəŋ(k)-shən\
Definition:
1) the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists: purpose
2) professional or official position (job or duty): occupation
3) a large ceremony (official or formal) or social event
4) any of a group of related actions contributing to a larger action;
especially: the normal and specific contribution of a bodily part to the economy of a living organism
5) characteristic behavior of a chemical compound due to a particular reactive unit;
also: functional group
6) a computer subroutine;
specifically: one that performs a calculation with variables provided by a program
and supplies the program with a single result
7.a) a mathematical correspondence that assigns exactly one element
of one set to each element of the same or another set
b) a variable (as a quality, trait, or measurement) that depends on and varies with another
<height is a function of age>;
also: result <illnesses that are a function of stress>
Adjective: functionless \-ləs\
Origin and etymology:
Latin function-, functio performance,
from fungi to perform;
probably akin to Sanskrit bhuṅkte he enjoys
(to) mediate verb me·di·ate \ˈmē-dē-ˌāt\
Definition:
transitive verb
1.a) to bring accord out of by action as an intermediary
b) to effect by action as an intermediary
2.a) to act as intermediary agent in bringing, effecting, or communicating: convey
b) to transmit as intermediate mechanism or agency
intransitive verb
3) to interpose between parties in order to reconcile them
4) to reconcile differences
Adjective:
meditational \-shnəl, -shən-əl\
mediative \-ˌā-tiv\
mediatory \-ə-ˌtȯr-ē\
Origin and etymology:
Medieval Latin mediatus,
past participle of mediare, from Late Latin,
to be in the middle, from Latin medius middle