Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Late Latin
Origin: perfunctorius, from Latin perfunctus, past participle of perfungi 'to get something done'

perfunctory

 adjective
     
per‧func‧to‧ry formal
a perfunctory action is done quickly, and is only done because people expect it:
She gave him a perfunctory smile.
The applause was perfunctory.
—perfunctorily adverb
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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