terms

- 8 dictionary results

term

[turm]

–noun

1.	a word or group of words designating something, esp. in a particular field, as atom in physics, quietism in theology, adze in carpentry, or district leader in politics.

2.	any word or group of words considered as a member of a construction or utterance.

3.	the time or period through which something lasts.

4.	a period of time to which limits have been set: elected for a term of four years.

5.	one of two or more divisions of a school year, during which instruction is regularly provided.

6.	an appointed or set time or date, as for the payment of rent, interest, wages, etc.

terms,

a.	conditions with regard to payment, price, charge, rates, wages, etc.: reasonable terms.

b.	conditions or stipulations limiting what is proposed to be granted or done: the terms of a treaty.

c.	footing or standing; relations: on good terms with someone.

d.	Obsolete. state, situation, or circumstances.

Algebra, Arithmetic.

a.	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.

b.	a mathematical expression of the form ax^p, ax^py^q, etc., where a, p, and q are numbers and x and y are variables.

Logic.

a.	the subject or predicate of a categorical proposition.

b.	the word or expression denoting the subject or predicate of a categorical proposition.

10.	Also called terminus. a figure, esp. of Terminus, in the form of a herm, used by the ancient Romans as a boundary marker; terminal figure.

11.

Law.

a.	an estate or interest in land or the like, to be enjoyed for a fixed period.

b.	the duration of an estate.

c.	each of the periods during which certain courts of law hold their sessions.

12.	completion of pregnancy; parturition.

13.

Archaic.

a.	end, conclusion, or termination.

b.	boundary or limit.

–verb (used with object)

14.	to apply a particular term or name to; name; call; designate.

—Idioms

15.	bring to terms, to force to agree to stated demands or conditions; bring into submission: After a long struggle, we brought them to terms.

16.

come to terms,

a.	to reach an agreement; make an arrangement: to come to terms with a creditor.

b.	to become resigned or accustomed: to come to terms with one's life.

17.	eat one's terms, British Informal. to study for the bar; be a law student.

18.	in terms of, with regard to; concerning: The book offers nothing in terms of a satisfactory conclusion.

Origin:
1175–1225; ME terme < OF < L terminus boundary, limit, end; akin to Gk térmōn limit

Related forms:

termly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To terms

term (tûrm)

1. A limited period of time.
2. A period of time that is assigned to a person to serve: a six-year term as senator. See Synonyms at period.
3. A period when a school or court is in session.
4. A point in time at which something ends; termination: an apprenticeship nearing its term.
5. The end of a normal gestation period: carried the fetus to term.
6. A deadline, as for making a payment.
7. A fixed period of time for which an estate is granted.
8. An estate granted for a fixed period.
9. A word or group of words having a particular meaning: had to explain the term gridlock.
10. terms Language of a certain kind; chosen words: spoke in rather vague terms; praised him in glowing terms.
11. One of the quantities composing a ratio or fraction or forming a series.
12. One of the quantities connected by addition or subtraction signs in an equation; a member.
13. A stone or post marking a boundary, especially a squared and downward-tapering pillar adorned with a head and upper torso.
14. An architectural or decorative motif resembling such a marker.
1. A point in time at which something ends; termination: an apprenticeship nearing its term.
2. The end of a normal gestation period: carried the fetus to term.
3. A deadline, as for making a payment.
4. A fixed period of time for which an estate is granted.
5. An estate granted for a fixed period.
6. A word or group of words having a particular meaning: had to explain the term gridlock.
7. terms Language of a certain kind; chosen words: spoke in rather vague terms; praised him in glowing terms.
8. One of the quantities composing a ratio or fraction or forming a series.
9. One of the quantities connected by addition or subtraction signs in an equation; a member.
10. A stone or post marking a boundary, especially a squared and downward-tapering pillar adorned with a head and upper torso.
11. An architectural or decorative motif resembling such a marker.
Law
1. A fixed period of time for which an estate is granted.
2. An estate granted for a fixed period.
3. A word or group of words having a particular meaning: had to explain the term gridlock.
4. terms Language of a certain kind; chosen words: spoke in rather vague terms; praised him in glowing terms.
5. One of the quantities composing a ratio or fraction or forming a series.
6. One of the quantities connected by addition or subtraction signs in an equation; a member.
7. A stone or post marking a boundary, especially a squared and downward-tapering pillar adorned with a head and upper torso.
8. An architectural or decorative motif resembling such a marker.
1. A word or group of words having a particular meaning: had to explain the term gridlock.
2. terms Language of a certain kind; chosen words: spoke in rather vague terms; praised him in glowing terms.
3. One of the quantities composing a ratio or fraction or forming a series.
4. One of the quantities connected by addition or subtraction signs in an equation; a member.
5. A stone or post marking a boundary, especially a squared and downward-tapering pillar adorned with a head and upper torso.
6. An architectural or decorative motif resembling such a marker.
One of the elements of a proposed or concluded agreement; a condition. Often used in the plural: offered favorable peace terms; one of the terms of the lease; the terms of a divorce settlement.
terms The relationship between two people or groups; personal footing: on good terms with her in-laws.
Mathematics
1. One of the quantities composing a ratio or fraction or forming a series.
2. One of the quantities connected by addition or subtraction signs in an equation; a member.
3. A stone or post marking a boundary, especially a squared and downward-tapering pillar adorned with a head and upper torso.
4. An architectural or decorative motif resembling such a marker.
Logic Each of the two concepts being compared or related in a proposition.
1. A stone or post marking a boundary, especially a squared and downward-tapering pillar adorned with a head and upper torso.
2. An architectural or decorative motif resembling such a marker.

tr.v. termed, term·ing, terms
To designate; call.

[Middle English terme, from Old French, from Latin terminus, boundary. N., senses 4-8, from Middle English, from Medieval Latin terminus, from Late Latin, mathematical or logical term, from Latin, boundary, limit.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Word Origin & History

term (n.)

c.1225, terme "limit in time, set or appointed period," from O.Fr. terme "limit of time or place" (11c.), from L. terminus "end, boundary line," related to termen "boundary, end" (see terminus). Sense of "period of time during which something happens" first recorded c.1300, especially of a school or law court session (1454), The meaning "word or phrase used in a limited or precise sense" is first recorded c.1378, from M.L. use to render Gk. horos "boundary," employed in mathematics and logic. Meaning "completion of the period of pregnancy" is from 1844. The verb meaning "to give a particular name to" is recorded from 1560. Terms "limited conditions, stipulations" is from c.1315; meaning "standing, footing, mutual relations" is from 1543. Term-paper in U.S. educational sense is recorded from 1931.

Financial Dictionary

term

The period during which a bond will remain outstanding.
The length of time that a person is to serve in a usually official capacity. For example, a firm's directors may be elected for terms of three years each.

Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: term
Function: noun
often attrib 1 : a specified period of time term>
2 : the whole period for which an estate is granted; also : the estate itself
3 a : the period in which the powers of a court may be validly exercised b : SESSION
4 : a word, phrase, or provision of import esp. in determining the nature and scope of an agreement —usually used in pl. terms of the contract>

Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ²term
Function: adjective
: carried to, occurring at, or associated with full term term infant> <term births>

Medical Dictionary

term (tûrm)
n.

A limited period of time.
The end of a normal gestation period.

Idioms & Phrases

terms

see bring to terms; come to terms with; contradiction in terms; in no uncertain terms; in terms of; on good terms; on speaking terms.

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