- perfunctory
- \ \ see FUNCTION
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
perfunctory
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Perfunctory — Per*func to*ry, a. [L. perfunctorius, fr. perfunctus dispatched, p. p. of perfungi to discharge, dispatch; per (see {Per}) + fungi to perform. See {Function}.] 1. Done merely to get rid of a duty; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
perfunctory — [pər fuŋk′tə rē] adj. [LL perfunctorius < L perfunctus, pp. of perfungi, to get rid of, discharge < per , intens. + fungi, to perform: see FUNCTION] 1. done without care or interest or merely as a form or routine; superficial [a perfunctory … English World dictionary
perfunctory — I adjective absent minded, abstracted, apathetic, below par, careless, casual, cursory, deficient, disinterested, dispassionate, disregardful, failing, formal, halfhearted, hasty, heedless, hollow, hurried, ill done, imperfect, inadequate,… … Law dictionary
perfunctory — 1580s, from L.L. perfunctorius careless, negligent, lit. like one who wishes to get through a thing, from L. perfungus, pp. of perfungi discharge, get through, from per through + fungi perform (see FUNCTION (Cf. function)) … Etymology dictionary
perfunctory — [adj] automatic, unthinking apathetic, careless, cool, cursory, disinterested, going through the motions*, heedless, impersonal, inattentive, indifferent, involuntary, lackadaisical, laid back*, mechanical, negligent, offhand, phoning it in*,… … New thesaurus
perfunctory — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection. DERIVATIVES perfunctorily adverb. ORIGIN Latin perfunctorius careless … English terms dictionary
perfunctory — [[t]pə(r)fʌ̱ŋktəri, AM tɔːri[/t]] ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n A perfunctory action is done quickly and carelessly, and shows a lack of interest in what you are doing. She gave the list only a perfunctory glance. ...a perfunctory handshake... Our… … English dictionary
perfunctory — adjective formal 1 a perfunctory action is done quickly, and is only done because people expect it: Olivia dismissed him with a perfunctory nod. | a perfunctory kiss on the cheek 2 someone who is perfunctory does things in this way perfunctorily… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
perfunctory — per|func|to|ry [pəˈfʌŋktəri US pər ] adj formal [Date: 1500 1600; : Late Latin; Origin: perfunctorius, from Latin perfunctus, past participle of perfungi to get something done ] a perfunctory action is done quickly, and is only done because… … Dictionary of contemporary English
perfunctory — perfunctorily, adv. perfunctoriness, n. /peuhr fungk teuh ree/, adj. 1. performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial: perfunctory courtesy. 2. lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic: In his lectures he… … Universalium
perfunctory — adjective /pəˈfʌŋk.tɹɪ,pɚˈfʌŋ.tɚ.i/ Done merely to discharge a duty; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote; done in a careless and superficial manner; characterized by indifference; as, perfunctory admonitions. He did a perfunctory job… … Wiktionary
