Perfunctory \Per*func"to*ry\, a. [L. perfunctorius, fr. perfunctus dispatched, p. p. of perfungi to discharge, dispatch; per (see {Per}) + fungi to perform. See {Function}.] 1. 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. --Macaulay. 2. Hence: Mechanical; indifferent; listless; careless. ``Perfunctory in his devotions.'' --Sharp. web1913
perfunctory adj 1: hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough; "a casual (or cursory) inspection failed to reveal the house's structural flaws"; "a passing glance"; "perfunctory courtesy" [syn: {casual}, {cursory}, {passing(a)}] 2: as a formality only; "a one-candidate pro forma election" [syn: {pro forma}] wn