terminator

[ tur-muh-ney-ter ]

/ ˈtɜr məˌneɪ tər /

noun

a person or thing that terminates.

Astronomy. the dividing line between the illuminated and the unilluminated part of a satellite or planet, especially the moon.

Origin of terminator

1760–70; < Late Latin terminātor, equivalent to terminā(re) to terminate + -tor -tor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for terminator

You know, James Cameron: the director of The Terminator, True Lies, Titanic, and Avatar, among other obscure movies.
James Cameron Dives into the Ocean's Abyss|Andrew Romano|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Queen Victoria had the reputation of being a humorless, dour battleaxe, a Terminator in bombazine.
The Cult of Royal Porn|Tim Teeman|April 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Most of the Schwarzenegger movies currently in development are throwbacks to his glory days: Terminator: Genesis.
Is This the End of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Comeback?|Andrew Romano|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Terminator was the second feature film James Cameron had directed, and was his first hit.
The Week in Nostalgia: ‘Halloween’ Turns 35, Butch and Sundance Debut, and the iPod is Born (VIDEO)|Chancellor Agard|October 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST

After surprising box office success, The Terminator would go on to spawn three sequels.
The Week in Nostalgia: ‘Halloween’ Turns 35, Butch and Sundance Debut, and the iPod is Born (VIDEO)|Chancellor Agard|October 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Professor Sykes reports seeing a distinct flash of light upon the terminator, or margin of light.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930|Various
The general shape of this line is never a circle but always elliptical, and astronomers call it the terminator.
Astronomy|David Todd
They would certainly be indicated on the terminator, and yet not a trace of such markings has been found.
Mars and its Mystery|Edward Sylvester Morse
The liberation of the tiny planet and consequent shifting of the terminator was bringing frigidity to Vulcan's Workshop.
Vulcan's Workshop|Harl Vincent
In fact, he can scarcely do more than note her varying phases (see 82Plate 6) and the somewhat uneven boundary of the terminator.
Half-hours with the Telescope|Richard A. Proctor

British Dictionary definitions for terminator

terminator

/ (ˈtɜːmɪˌneɪtə) /

noun

the line dividing the illuminated and dark part of the moon or a planet

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for terminator

terminator

1770, "line of separation between the bright and dark parts of a moon or planet," from Latin terminator, from terminare (see terminus). Meaning "one who terminates (something)" is attested from 1846.

terminator

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of terminator

Examples from the Web for terminator

British Dictionary definitions for terminator

terminator

noun

Word Origin and History for terminator

terminator