dysfunction

plural dysfunctions · alternative nonstandard disfunction

1. countableuncountablemedicineA failure to function in an expected or complete manner. Usually refers to a disorder in a bodily organ (e.g. erectile dysfunction), a mental disorder, or the improper behavior of a social group.

   We next consider the cognification of interpersonal dysfunctions in treating clinical depression.

   2005, Dwight Evans, Dennis S. Charney, Lydia Lewis, The Physician’s Guide to Depression and Bipolar Disorders, →ISBN, page 69

   2 more examples

   Cerebellar dysfunction is characterized by truncal ataxia, a broad-based stance, dysmetria in which the limbs either overstep (hypermetria) or understep (hypometria), and tremor that is most pronounced when the animal attempts a goal-orientated movement (intention tremor).

   2004, Johnny D. Hoskins, Geriatrics and Gerontology of the Dog and Cat, →ISBN, page 358

   If you’ve just started taking an antidepressant within the last few weeks, a doctor might suggest you wait to see if dysfunction resolves as your body adjusts.

   2024 March 21, Kristen Rogers, “If antidepressants are killing your sex life, here’s what you can do”, in CNN, archived from the original on 15 Apr 2024

   Antonyms: eufunction, function

present singular third person dysfunctions · participle present dysfunctioning · participle past dysfunctioned · past dysfunctioned · alternative nonstandard disfunction

1. intransitivenonstandardbiologyTo fail to function correctly; to malfunction.