From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
functional
adj 1: designed for or capable of a particular function or use; "a
style of writing in which every word is functional";
"functional architecture" [ant: nonfunctional]
2: involving or affecting function rather than physiology;
"functional deafness" [ant: organic]
3: relating to or based on function especially as opposed to
structure; "the problem now is not a constitutional one;
it is a functional one"; "delegates elected on a
functional rather than a geographical basis"
4: fit or ready for use or service; "the toaster was still
functional even after being dropped"; "the lawnmower is a
bit rusty but still usable"; "an operational aircraft";
"the dishwasher is now in working order" [syn: usable,
useable, {in working order(p)}, operable,
operational]
5: designed for or adapted to a function or use; "functional
education selects knowledge that is concrete and usable
rather than abstract and theoretical"; "functional
architecture"
6: (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing; "in
running (or working) order"; "a functional set of brakes"
[syn: {running(a)}, operative, {working(a)}]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Functional \Func"tion*al\ (f[u^][ng]k"sh[u^]n*al), a.
1. Pertaining to, or connected with, a function or duty;
official.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Pathology, Physiol.) Pertaining to the function of an
organ or part, or to the functions in general; involving
or affecting function rather than physiology; as,
functional deafness; a functional disease. See {functional
disease}, below. [WordNet sense 2]
[1913 Webster]
3. Designed for or capable of a particular function or use;
as, a style of writing in which every word is functional;
functional architecture. [WordNet sense 1]
[WordNet 1.6]
4. Fit or ready for use or service; useable; in working
order; as, the toaster was still functional even after
being dropped; the lawnmower is a bit rusty but still
functional. Antonym of out of order and nonfunctional.
[WordNet sense 4 & 6]
Syn: usable, useable, in working order(predicate), operable,
operational, running(prenominal), operative.
[WordNet 1.6]
5. Designed to emphasize practical utility rather than
artistic or aesthetic purposes; as, functional education
selects knowledge that is concrete and usable rather than
abstract and theoretical; functional architecture; an
amateurish device, crude but functional.
[WordNet 1.6]
Functional disease (Med.), a disease of which the symptoms
cannot be referred to any appreciable lesion or change of
structure; the derangement of an organ arising from a
cause, often unknown, external to itself opposed to
organic disease, in which the organ itself is affected.
[1913 Webster]
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (19 Sep 2003) [foldoc]:
functional
1. Working correctly.
2. Pertaining to functional programming.
3. higher-order function.