OFFICE


Meaning of OFFICE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈä-fəs, ˈȯ- ]

noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin officium service, duty, office, from opus work + facere to make, do — more at operate , do

Date: 13th century

1.

a. : a special duty, charge, or position conferred by an exercise of governmental authority and for a public purpose : a position of authority to exercise a public function and to receive whatever emoluments may belong to it

b. : a position of responsibility or some degree of executive authority

2.

[Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin officium, from Latin]

: a prescribed form or service of worship ; specifically capitalized : Divine Office

3. : a religious or social ceremonial observance : rite

4.

a. : something that one ought to do or must do : an assigned or assumed duty, task, or role

b. : the proper or customary action of something : function

c. : something done for another : service

5. : a place where a particular kind of business is transacted or a service is supplied: as

a. : a place in which the functions of a public officer are performed

b. : the directing headquarters of an enterprise or organization

c. : the place in which a professional person conducts business

6. plural , chiefly British : the apartments, attached buildings, or outhouses in which the activities attached to the service of a house are carried on

7.

a. : a major administrative unit in some governments

British Foreign Office

b. : a subdivision of some government departments

Patent Office

Synonyms: see function

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.