latent function

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noun Sociology.

any function of an institution or other social phenomenon that is unintentional and often unrecognized.

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Origin of latent function

First recorded in 1945–50

But the copper performs another important function: working as a catalyst in the distillation process.
When It Comes to Great Whisky, The Size of Your Still Matters||December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The iPad was an even bigger hit, especially as it had a new function that allowed him to play the drawing back.
The Many Lives of Artist David Hockney|William O’Connor|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Openness might be a function of sexuality and gender, as well.
Coming Out Kinky to Your Doctor, in Black and Blue|Heather Boerner|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Entitled “Please Go Home,” the parody stars Daniel Franzese, best known as the “too gay to function” Damian from Mean Girls.
Anime Hologram Pop Stars, Return of ‘Fresh Prince’ Carlton, and More Viral Videos|Alex Chancey|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Sex is a basic human function; a physiological drive we cannot ignore.
Christian Right-Wingers Love Porn: New Studies Suggest the Bible Belt Has A Kinky Side|Aurora Snow|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To prevent intruders or extruders from withdrawing his mind from the text, he exercises the Inhibitory function of the Attention.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
Little girls perhaps represent the attractive function of adornment: they like to be thought pretty.
Children's Ways|James Sully
This is hardly a function—parties even in the big political country-houses are more or less informal.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
No definite proof of this position has, however, as yet been adduced, and the function of the compound is entirely unknown.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
After the formal proclamation was issued the function terminated with a banquet given to 200 insurgent notabilities.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman