n 1  :  the process of exerting a force or bringing about an effect that results from the inherent capacity of an agent <protein synthesis is an expression of gene >  <insecticidal >  <the of heroin is blocked by methadone>   2  :  a function or the performance of a function of the body (as defecation) or of one of its parts <the normal baby has three or four s of the bowel in 24 hours -Morris Fishbein>  <heart >   3  :  an act of will  4  actions  pl  :  BEHAVIOR <aggressive s>  .
 
 
 
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