functionalityn.
/ˌfʌŋ(k)ʃəˈnalᵻti/, U.S. /ˌfəŋ(k)ʃəˈnælədi/ 1. The state or quality of being functional; the quality of being suited to serve a purpose well.Somewhat rare before the mid 20th cent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > [noun] > fact or quality of serving needs or ends
servicec1350
usea1398
functionality1836
1836 Vermont Patriot & State Gaz. 19 Dec. What visible effects, upon the admitted functionality of the animal organs, result from the process of structural permutation?
1909 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 20 Nov. 77/2 The difference between the two estimations of sugar represents the degree of pancreatic functionality.
1950 D. B. Hertz Theory & Pract. of Industr. Res. xi. 260 Obsolete forms should be weeded out and the design of all forms examined periodically for functionality.
2014 Swan Valley (Manitoba) Star & Times 18 Nov. c9/3 Non-glare coatings enhance the functionality of your sunglasses.
2. Mathematics. The state of being or representing a function (function n. 5a); of or relating to this. Now rare.
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the world > relative properties > number > algebra > [noun] > expression > function > property of
discontinuity1803
functionality1857
self-conjugation1866
covariance1878
symmetry1888
monogeneity1906
recursion1913
recursive definition1935
holomorphy1957
unateness1960
1857 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 147 776 This is the most general theorem which exists with relation to that class of transcendents in which a perfectly arbitrary symbol of functionality occurs under the sign of integration.
1879 A. Cayley in Encycl. Brit. IX. 818/1 Functionality in Analysis is dependence on a variable or variables.
1940 Math. Gaz. 24 71 The bias of the book provides excellent opportunities for dealing with fundamental ideas, such as the formula and functionality.
2010 Studia Logica 95 400 If..the functionality requirement of C is dropped, we arrive at a crisp axiom system for so-called atomic structures of complete relation algebras.
3. Chemistry. The property of a molecule or bond of containing or bearing functional groups; the presence of functional groups of a specified type. Also: a numerical measure of the number of functional groups that exist or may be introduced into a molecule.
ΚΠ
1936 Ann. Rep. Progress Chem. 1935 32 265 The number of such groups [sc. reacting groups] in a molecule is referred to as the degree of functionality.
1947 J. H. Collins in P. I. Smith Pract. Plastics vi. 79/1 Both acetic acid and ethyl alcohol are said to have a functionality of one.
1999 Chem. in Brit. Mar. 26/1 The most common linkers..provide molecules with a specific functional group, for example carboxylic acid or carboxamide. This does not cause a problem if the target molecule requires this functionality.
2011 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 108 19891/2 The reduction of quinone functionality either by a one or two electron process is known to produce reactive species.
4. The purpose something is designed or expected to serve; the function or functions that something is designed to perform; esp. (in later use) the range of operations that an electronic device or piece of software can perform. Also as a count noun: each such function.
ΚΠ
1950 Financial Times 26 June (Plastics Suppl.) p. vii./3 Design of end products..which takes into account not only their functionality, but also the suitability of the materials.
1973 J. P. Buzen & U. O. Gaguardi in Honeywell Computer Jrnl. 7 249/1 Since the majority of commonly used channel programs are not self-modifying this lack of functionality could not be tolerated without serious difficulty.
1981 IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. 28 3726/1 Some of the other commands have different user interfaces and somewhat different functionalities.
2010 Wall St. Jrnl. 13 Sept. b2/6 A high-quality camera and improved touch screen functionality such as pinch zoom, akin to the iPhone.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1836