structural-functional
|struc-tur-al-func-tion-al|
/ˌstrʌk.tʃər.əl ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.əl/
linking structure and function
Etymology
'structural-functional' is a compound formed from 'structural' and 'functional'. 'Structural' derives from 'structure', originating in Latin 'structura' (from 'struere', meaning 'to construct, pile up'), and 'functional' derives from 'function', from Latin 'functio' (from 'fungi', meaning 'to perform').
The adjective 'structural' developed from Middle English formations based on Latin/French roots; 'functional' developed from medieval Latin 'functio' and entered English via Old French/Latin formations. The hyphenated compound 'structural-functional' arose in academic usage (notably mid-20th century) to describe approaches that explicitly link structure and function (e.g., 'structural-functionalism' in sociology).
Individually, the elements meant 'relating to structure' and 'relating to function'; combined, the compound came to mean 'relating to the interrelation or combined analysis of structure and function' in scholarly contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or combining both structural and functional aspects; often used to describe approaches (especially in sociology, biology, architecture) that analyze systems in terms of their structures and functions.
The researcher adopted a structural-functional approach to examine how institutions maintain social order.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/22 14:03