Lexic.us

Definition of Perfunctory

1. Adjective. Hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough. "Perfunctory courtesy"

2. Adjective. As a formality only. "A one-candidate pro forma election"

Definition of Perfunctory

1. a. Done merely to get rid of a duty; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote; done in a careless and superficial manner; characterized by indifference; as, perfunctory admonitions.

Definition of Perfunctory

1. Adjective. 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; aspiring only to minimum standards. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Perfunctory

1. [adj]

Medical Definition of Perfunctory

1. 1. Done merely to get rid of a duty; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote; done in a careless and superficial manner; characterised by indifference; as, perfunctory admonitions. 2. Hence: Mechanical; indifferent; listless; careless. "Perfunctory in his devotions." Origin: L. Perfunctorius, fr. Perfunctus dispatched, p.p. Of perfungi to discharge, dispatch; per (see Per) + fungi to perform. See Function. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Perfunctory

perfumatory perfume perfumed perfumeless perfumelike perfumer perfumeries perfumers perfumery perfumes

perfumey perfuming perfumy perfunctorily perfunctoriness perfunctory (current term) perfusate perfusates perfuse perfused

perfuses perfusing perfusion perfusion cannula perfusional perfusionist perfusionists perfusions perfusive pergal

Literary usage of Perfunctory

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease by Philadelphia Neurological Society, American Neurological Association, Chicago Neurological Society, New York Neurological Association (1906)
"... remaining time to visiting hospital wards, to occasional visits to the laboratory and to the perfunctory delivery of more or less stereotyped lectures. ..."

2. The Expositor edited by Samuel Cox, William Robertson Nicoll, James Moffatt (1876)
"... perfunctory spirit, yet no man with deep human sympathy and humility can absorb himself in these things and " continue in them," without being ready to ..."

3. The Assault on Humanism by Paul Shorey (1917)
"This we foresee because, in spite of their perfunctory protests and caveats, the writings of the modernists plainly manifest an ..."

4. A Treatise on the Law of Torts in Obligations Arising from Civil Wrongs in by Frederick Pollock, James Avery Webb (1894)
"perfunctory inquiry will not do. And the same principle applies as long as the party substantially puts his trust in the representation made to him, ..."

5. A Treatise on the Law of Torts in Obligations Arising from Civil Wrongs in by Frederick Pollock, James Avery Webb (1894)
"perfunctory inquiry will not do. And the same principle applies as long as the party substantially puts his trust in the representation made to him, ..."

6. Nominating Systems: Direct Primaries Versus Conventions in the United States by Ernst Christopher Meyer (1902)
"Through extended application it is acquiring a perfunctory character which loosens the solemn bonds which once gave it a mighty and sacred significance. ..."

Other Resources: