a word or group of words designating something, especially in a particular field, as atom in physics, quietism in theology, adze in carpentry, or district leader in politics.
any word or group of words considered as a member of a construction or utterance.
the time or period through which something lasts.
a period of time to which limits have been set: elected for a term of four years.
one of two or more divisions of a school year, during which instruction is regularly provided.
an appointed or set time or date, as for the payment of rent, interest, wages, etc.
terms,
conditions with regard to payment, price, charge, rates, wages, etc.: reasonable terms.
conditions or stipulations limiting what is proposed to be granted or done: the terms of a treaty.
footing or standing; relations: on good terms with someone.
Obsolete.state, situation, or circumstances.
Algebra, Arithmetic.
each of the members of which an expression, a series of quantities, or the like, is composed, as one of two or more parts of an algebraic expression.
a mathematical expression of the form axp, axpyq, etc., where a, p, and q are numbers and x and y are variables.
Logic.
the subject or predicate of a categorical proposition.
the word or expression denoting the subject or predicate of a categorical proposition.
Also called terminus. a figure, especially of Terminus, in the form of a herm, used by the ancient Romans as a boundary marker; terminal figure.
Law.
an estate or interest in land or the like, to be enjoyed for a fixed period.
the duration of an estate.
each of the periods during which certain courts of law hold their sessions.
completion of pregnancy; parturition.
Archaic.
end, conclusion, or termination.
boundary or limit.
verb (used with object)
to apply a particular term or name to; name; call; designate.
Idioms
bring to terms, to force to agree to stated demands or conditions; bring into submission: After a long struggle, we brought them to terms.
come to terms,
to reach an agreement; make an arrangement: to come to terms with a creditor.
to become resigned or accustomed: to come to terms with one's life.
eat one's terms, BritishInformal. to study for the bar; be a law student.
in terms of, with regard to; concerning: The book offers nothing in terms of a satisfactory conclusion.
Origin of term
1175–1225;Middle Englishterme < Old French < Latinterminus boundary, limit, end; akin to Greektérmōn limit
Related formsterm·ly, adverbhalf-term, nounin·ter·term, adjectivemis·term, verb (used with object)
(usually specified prenominally)the actual language or mode of presentation usedhe described the project in loose terms
conditions of an agreementyou work here on our terms
a sum of money paid for a service or credit; charges
(usually preceded by on)mutual relationship or standingthey are on affectionate terms
in terms ofas expressed by; regardingin terms of money he was no better off
come to termsto reach acceptance or agreementto come to terms with one's failings
term
noun
a name, expression, or word used for some particular thing, esp in a specialized field of knowledgea medical term
any word or expression
a limited period of timehis second term of office; a prison term
any of the divisions of the academic year during which a school, college, etc, is in session
a point in time determined for an event or for the end of a period
Also called: full termthe period at which childbirth is imminent
law
an estate or interest in land limited to run for a specified perioda term of years
the duration of an estate, etc
(formerly) a period of time during which sessions of courts of law were held
time allowed to a debtor to settle
mathseither of the expressions the ratio of which is a fraction or proportion, any of the separate elements of a sequence, or any of the individual addends of a polynomial or series
logic
the word or phrase that forms either the subject or predicate of a proposition
a name or variable, as opposed to a predicate
one of the relata of a relation
any of the three subjects or predicates occurring in a syllogism
Also called: terminal, terminus, terminal figurearchitecta sculptured post, esp one in the form of an armless bust or an animal on the top of a square pillar
"limiting conditions," early 14c.; see term. Hence expressions such as come to terms, make terms, on any terms, etc. Meaning "standing, footing, mutual relations," as in expression on good terms (with someone), is recorded from 1540s.
term
n.
early 13c., terme "limit in time, set or appointed period," from Old French terme "limit of time or place" (11c.), from Latin terminus "end, boundary line," related to termen "boundary, end" (see terminus). Old English had termen "term, end," from Latin. Sense of "period of time during which something happens" first recorded c.1300, especially of a school or law court session (mid-15c.).
The meaning "word or phrase used in a limited or precise sense" is first recorded late 14c., from Medieval Latin use to render Greek horos "boundary," employed in mathematics and logic. Meaning "completion of the period of pregnancy" is from 1844. Term-paper in U.S. educational sense is recorded from 1931.
term
v.
"to give a particular name to," mid-16c., from term (n.). Related: Termed; terming.
