1. In Linguistics:
* Grammatical function: This refers to the role a word plays in a sentence, such as subject, object, verb, adjective, adverb, etc. For example, in the sentence "The cat sat on the mat," "cat" is the subject, "sat" is the verb, and "mat" is the object.
* Lexical function: This refers to the meaning or semantic role of a word. For example, the word "cat" typically refers to a feline animal, while "sat" indicates a state of being seated.
2. In Computer Science:
* Function (in programming): This is a block of code that performs a specific task. It can be called upon by other parts of the program to execute that task. Functions are crucial for modularity and reusability in programming.
3. In General Usage:
* Purpose or role: This refers to the intended use or action of something. For example, the function of a knife is to cut.
* Relationship between variables: In mathematics, a function describes a relationship between two or more variables where each input (independent variable) corresponds to exactly one output (dependent variable).
To understand the specific meaning of "word function," you need to consider the context in which it is used. If you can provide more information about the context, I can give you a more precise definition.