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n. 1. a. A place in which business, clerical, or professional activities are conducted. b. The administrative personnel, executives, or staff working in such a place: Can your office handle that amount of work? 2. a. A subdivision of a governmental department: the US Patent Office. b. A major executive division of a government: the British Home Office. 3. a. A position of authority, duty, or trust given to a person, as in a government or corporation: the office of vice president. b. Public position: Is she inclined to seek office? 4. a. A duty or function assigned to or assumed by someone: Our host performed the office of tour guide. See Synonyms at function. b. often offices A service or beneficial act done for another: Through her kind offices we were given a room with a view. 5. Ecclesiastical A ceremony, rite, or service, usually prescribed by liturgy, especially: a. The canonical hours. b. A prayer service in the Anglican Church, such as Morning or Evening Prayer. c. A ceremony, rite, or service for a special purpose, especially the Office of the Dead. 6. offices Chiefly British The parts of a house, such as the laundry and kitchen, in which servants carry out household work. [Middle English, from Old French, duty, from Latin officium; see dhē- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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