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Of or pertaining to the vessels of animal and vegetable bodies; as, the vascular functions.

enlargement of the systems of nutrition, apart from the sensorial or distinctively animal functions; vegetal. -- Veg"e*ta*tive*ly, adv. -- Veg"e*ta*tive*ness, n.

Germany from the end of the 12th century to the middle of the 16th, usurping many of the functions of the government which were too weak to maintain law and order, and inspiring dread in all who came within their jurisdiction. Encyc. Brit.

Fig.: Any cavity, or hollow place, in which any function may be conceived of as operating. These [ideas] are begot on the ventricle of memory. Shak.

Turned. Versed sine. See under Sine, and Illust. of Functions.

One deputed or authorized to perform the functions of another; a substitute in office; a deputy. [R.]

Acting as a substitute; -- said of abnormal action which replaces a suppressed normal function; as, vicarious hemorrhage replacing menstruation.

consul Etym: [cf. F. vice-consul], a subordinate officer, authorized to exercise consular functions in some particular part of a district controlled by a consul. -- Vice king, one who acts in the place of a king; a viceroy. -- Vice legate Etym: [cf. F. vice-légat], a legate second in rank to, or acting in place of, a…

A certain function relating to a system of forces and their points of application, -- first used by Clausius in the investigation of problems in molecular physics.

Belonging or relating to life, either animal or vegetable; as, vital energies; vital functions; vital actions.

The doctrine that all the functions of a living organism are due to an unknown vital principle distinct from all chemical and physical forces.

ving external openings, found in many invertebrates. They are believed to be analogous in function to the kidneys of vertebrates. See Illust. under Trematodea, and Sporocyst.

Lacking ability for an appropriate function or office; as, weak eyes; a weak stomach; a weak magistrate; a weak regiment, or army.