Definition of the word functionally

The word "functionally" has its roots in 17th-century English. It comes from the adjective "functional," which was derived from the Latin words "fungere," meaning "to perform," and "factio," meaning "making" or "doing." Initially, "functional" referred to a machine or system that performed a specific function or set of functions. Over time, the adjective evolved to describe something that is capable of performing a particular task or set of tasks. The adverbial form "functionally" emerged in the 19th century, meaning "in a functional manner" or "in accordance with a particular function." Today, "functionally" is often used in fields such as engineering, architecture, and product design to describe how something works or is designed to work.