Per-fŭnk'to-ry, a.

(Synop., § 130), a. [Lat. perfunctōrius, from perfunctus, dispatched, p. p. of perfungi, to discharge, dispatch, from per, through, and fungi, to perform; Sp. perfunctorio, It. perfunctorio.] Done without interest or zeal, and merely to get rid of a duty; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote; hence, indifferent; slight; careless; negligent. The medical profession, in the daily practice of it, just like every other profession . . . becomes perfunctory. I. Taylor.