terminus a quo
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of terminus a quo
literally: the end from which
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Every tendency or movement presupposes a terminus a quo, from which it starts, and a terminus ad quem, to which it tends.
From Grace, Actual and Habitual A Dogmatic Treatise by Preuss, Arthur
Another explanation, which we believe is supported by Mr. Eustace Miles, scouts the notion of an ancient origin of the phrase and fixes the terminus a quo by the recent introduction of vegetarian diet.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, August 19th, 1914 by Seaman, Owen, Sir
Cognition, whenever we take it concretely, means determinate 'ambulation,' through intermediaries, from a terminus a quo to, or towards, a terminus ad quem.
From Meaning of Truth by James, William
The meeting vividly recalled the ball, the terminus a quo indeed from which the meditation in which he had been plunged since entering the park had started.
From The Marriage of William Ashe by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.
Sensations are the stable rock, the terminus a quo and the terminus ad quem of thought.
From The pragmatic theory of truth as developed by Peirce, James, and Dewey by Geyer, Delton Loring
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
