term

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

term, n. [F. terme, L. termen, -inis, terminus, a boundary limit, end; akin to Gr. , . See Thrum a tuft, and cf. Terminus, Determine, Exterminate.].

•  That which limits the extent of anything; limit; extremity; bound; boundary.  [1913 Webster]

  "Corruption is a reciprocal to generation, and they two are as nature's two terms, or boundaries."  [1913 Webster]
•  The time for which anything lasts; any limited time; as, a term of five years; the term of life.  [1913 Webster]
•  In universities, schools, etc., a definite continuous period during which instruction is regularly given to students; as, the school year is divided into three terms.  [1913 Webster]
•  A point, line, or superficies, that limits; as, a line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid.  [1913 Webster]
•  A fixed period of time; a prescribed duration  Bouvier.  [1913 Webster]

  " In England, there were formerly four terms in the year, during which the superior courts were open: Hilary term, beginning on the 11th and ending on the 31st of January; Easter term, beginning on the 15th of April, and ending on the 8th of May; Trinity term, beginning on the 22d day of May, and ending on the 12th of June; Michaelmas term, beginning on the 2d and ending on the 25th day of November. The rest of the year was called vacation. But this division has been practically abolished by the Judicature Acts of 1873, 1875, which provide for the more convenient arrangement of the terms and vacations.
  In the United States, the terms to be observed by the tribunals of justice are prescribed by the statutes of Congress and of the several States."  [1913 Webster]
•  The subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism, each one of which is used twice.  [1913 Webster]

  "The subject and predicate of a proposition are, after Aristotle, together called its terms or extremes."  [1913 Webster]
•  A word or expression; specifically, one that has a precisely limited meaning in certain relations and uses, or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or the like; as, a technical term.  Chaucer.  [1913 Webster]

  "In painting, the greatest beauties can not always be expressed for want of terms."  [1913 Webster]
•  A quadrangular pillar, adorned on the top with the figure of a head, as of a man, woman, or satyr; -- called also terminal figure. See Terminus, n., 2 and 3.  [1913 Webster]

  " The pillar part frequently tapers downward, or is narrowest at the base. Terms rudely carved were formerly used for landmarks or boundaries. Gwilt."  [1913 Webster]
•  A member of a compound quantity; as, a or b in a + b; ab or cd in ab - cd.  [1913 Webster]
•  The menses.  [1913 Webster]
•  Propositions or promises, as in contracts, which, when assented to or accepted by another, settle the contract and bind the parties; conditions.  [1913 Webster]
•  In Scotland, the time fixed for the payment of rents.  [1913 Webster]

  " Terms legal and conventional in Scotland correspond to quarter days in England and Ireland. There are two legal terms -- Whitsunday, May 15, and Martinmas, Nov. 11; and two conventional terms -- Candlemas, Feb. 2, and Lammas day, Aug. 1. Mozley & W."  [1913 Webster]
•  A piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail.  J. Knowels.  [1913 Webster]

  "I can not speak in term."  [1913 Webster]

Syn. -- Limit; bound; boundary; condition; stipulation; word; expression.

term, v. t. [See Term, n., and cf. Terminate.].

 To apply a term to; to name; to call; to denominate.  [1913 Webster]
"Men term what is beyond the limits of the universe “imaginary space.”"  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

term, n. & v.
--n.
1 a word used to express a definite concept, esp. in a particular branch of study etc. (a technical term).
2 (in pl.) language used; mode of expression (answered in no uncertain terms).
3 (in pl.) a relation or footing (we are on familiar terms).
4 (in pl.) a conditions or stipulations (cannot accept your terms; do it on your own terms). b charge or price (his terms are {pound}20 a lesson).
5 a a limited period of some state or activity (for a term of five years). b a period over which operations are conducted or results contemplated (in the short term). c a period of some weeks, alternating with holiday or vacation, during which instruction is given in a school, college, or university, or Brit. during which a lawcourt holds sessions. d a period of imprisonment. e a period of tenure.
6 Logic a word or words that may be the subject or predicate of a proposition.
7 Math. a each of the two quantities in a ratio. b each quantity in a series. c a part of an expression joined to the rest by + or - (e.g. a, b, c in a + b - c).
8 the completion of a normal length of pregnancy.
9 an appointed day, esp. a Scottish quarter day.
10 (in full Brit. term of years or US term for years) Law an interest in land for a fixed period.
11 = TERMINUS 6.
12 archaic a boundary or limit, esp. of time.
--v.tr. denominate, call; assign a term to (the music termed classical).

Idiom

bring to terms cause to accept conditions. come to terms yield, give way. come to terms with
1 reconcile oneself to (a difficulty etc.).
2 conclude an agreement with. in set terms in definite terms. in terms explicitly. in terms of in the language peculiar to, using as a basis of expression or thought. make terms conclude an agreement. on terms on terms of friendship or equality. term paper US an essay or dissertation representative of the work done during a term. terms of reference Brit. points referred to an individual or body of persons for decision or report; the scope of an inquiry etc.; a definition of this. terms of trade Brit. the ratio between prices paid for imports and those received for exports.

Derivative

termless adj. termly adj. & adv.

Etymology

ME f. OF terme f. L TERMINUS

THESAURUS

term

Z, abundant year, academic year, adjectival phrase, administration, agree, annum, antonym, apodosis, appellation, arrange, articles, articulation, as regards, assumptions, balance, baptize, basis, bissextile year, border line, bound, boundary, boundary condition, boundary line, bourn, break boundary, breakoff point, calendar month, calendar year, call, catastrophe, ceasing, ceiling, century, cessation, christen, chronology, circumscription, clause, clauses, coda, come to terms, common year, compass, compromise, concerning, conclusion, condition, conditions, confine, confines, construction, consummation, continuity, continuous tenure, course, crack of doom, culmination, curtain, curtains, cutoff, cutoff point, day, deadline, death, decade, decease, decennary, decennium, defective year, define, delimitation, denominate, denouement, designate, designation, destination, destiny, detail, determinant, division line, doom, dub, duration, duree, effect, end, end point, ending, enlistment, entitle, envoi, epilogue, eschatology, exception, expiration, expression, extremity, fate, final solution, final twitch, final words, finale, finality, finis, finish, fiscal year, floor, footing, fortnight, free form, frontier, glosseme, go, goal, headed group, hedge, high-water mark, hitch, homograph, homonym, homophone, hour, icon, identify, idiom, idiotism, in relation to, incumbency, interface, interval, item, izzard, label, last, last breath, last gasp, last things, last trumpet, last words, lastingness, latter end, leap year, lexeme, lexical form, limen, limit, limitation, limiting factor, line, line of demarcation, linguistic form, locution, logos, low-water mark, lower limit, lunar month, lunar year, lunation, luster, lustrum, man-hour, manner of speaking, march, mark, mete, metonym, microsecond, millennium, millisecond, minimum free form, minute, moment, monosyllable, month, moon, morpheme, name, nickname, nominate, noun phrase, omega, paragraph, particular, payment, payoff, peculiar expression, period, peroration, phase, phrasal idiom, phrase, point, polysyllable, position, prison term, provision, provisions, proviso, psychological time, qualification, quarter, quietus, quinquennium, rates, reconcile, regarding, regular year, relating to, relations, relationship, relative to, reservation, resolution, resting place, schedule, second, semasiological unit, sememe, semester, sentence, session, set phrase, settle, sidereal year, sign, signifiant, significant, sitting, solar year, space, space-time, span, specify, spell, standard phrase, standing, start, starting line, starting point, stint, stipulation, stipulations, stoppage, stopping place, stretch, string, strings, style, sun, swan song, syllable, symbol, synonym, syntactic structure, tag, target date, tense, tenure, terminal, terminal date, termination, terminus, terms, the future, the past, the present, threshold, tide, time, time allotment, timebinding, title, token, tour, trimester, turn, turn of expression, turn of phrase, twelvemonth, type, upper limit, usage, utterance, verb complex, verb phrase, verbalism, verbum, vocable, way of speaking, week, weekday, while, windup, with regard to, word, word-group, year

ROGET THESAURUS

term

Word

N word, term, vocable, name, phrase, root, etymon, derivative, part of speech, ideophone, dictionary, vocabulary, lexicon, glossary, index, concordance, thesaurus, gradus, delectus, etymology, derivation, glossology, terminology orismology, paleology, lexicography, glossographer, lexicologist, verbarian, verbal, literal, titular, nominal, conjugate, paronymous, derivative, verbally, verbatim, the artillery of words.

Nomenclature

N nomenclature, naming, nuncupation, nomination, baptism, orismology, onomatopoeia, antonomasia, name, appelation, appelative, designation, title, heading, rubric, caption, denomination, by-name, epithet, style, proper name, praenomen, agnomen, cognomen, patronymic, surname, cognomination, eponym, compellation, description, antonym, empty title, empty name, handle to one's name, namesake, term, expression, noun, byword, convertible terms, technical term, cant, named, hight, ycleped, known as, what one may well, call fairly, call properly, call fitly, nuncupatory, nuncupative, cognominal, titular, nominal, orismological, beggar'd all description.

VB name, call, term, denominate designate, style, entitle, clepe, dub, christen, baptize, characterize, specify, define, distinguish by the name of, label, be called, take the name of, bean the name of, go by the name of, be known by the name of, go under the name of, pass under the name of, rejoice in the name of.

End

N end, close, termination, desinence, conclusion, finis, finale, period, term, terminus, endpoint, last, omega, extreme, extremity, gable end, butt end, fag-end, tip, nib, point, tail, verge, tag, peroration, bonne bouche, bottom dollar, tail end, rear guard, consummation, denouement, finish, fate, doom, doomsday, crack of doom, day of Judgment, dies irae, fall of the curtain, goal, destination, limit, determination, expiration, expiry, extinction, extermination, death, end of all things, finality, eschatology, break up, commencement de la fin, last stage, turning point, coup de grace, deathblow, knock-out-blow, sockdolager, ending, final, terminal, definitive, crowning, last, ultimate, hindermost, rear, caudal, vergent, conterminate, conterminous, conterminable, ended, at an end, settled, decided, over, played out, set at rest, conclusive, penultimate, last but one, last but two, unbegun, uncommenced, fresh, finally, in fine, at the last, once for all, as high as Heaven and as deep as hell, deficit omne quod nascitur, en toute chose il faut considerer la fin, finem respice, ultimus Romanorum.

Term

N term, rank, station, stage, step, degree, scale, remove, grade, link, peg, round of the ladder, status, position, place, point, mark, pas, period, pitch, stand, standing, footing, range.

Time

N time, duration, period, term, stage, space, span, spell, season, the whole time, the whole period, space-time, course, snap, intermediate time, while, interim, interval, pendency, intervention, intermission, intermittence, interregnum, interlude, respite, era, epoch, time of life, age, year, date, decade, moment, glass of time, sands of time, march of time, Father Time, ravages of time, arrow of time, river of time, whirligig of time, noiseless foot of time, scythe, continuing, on foot, permanent, while, whilst, during, pending, during the time, during the interval, in the course of, at that point, at that point in time, for the time being, day by day, in the time of, when, meantime, meanwhile, in the meantime, in the interim, ad interim, pendente lite, de die in diem, from day to day, from hour to hour, hourly, always, for a time, for a season, till, until, up to, yet, as far as, by that time, so far, hereunto, heretofore, prior to this, up to this point, the whole time, all the time, all along, throughout, for good, hereupon, thereupon, whereupon, then, anno Domini, A, D, ante Christum, A, C, before Christ, B, C, anno urbis conditae, A, U, C, anno regni, A, R, once upon a time, one fine morning, one fine day, one day, once, time flies, tempus fugit, time runs out, time runs against, race against time, racing the clock, time marches on, time is of the essence, time and tide wait for no man, ad calendas Groecas, panting Time toileth after him in vain, 'gainst the tooth of time and razure of oblivion, rich with the spoils of time, tempus edax rerum, the long hours come and go, the time is out of joint, Time rolls his ceaseless course, Time the foe of man's dominion, time wasted is existence, used is life, truditur dies die, volat hora per orbem, carpe diem.

Property

N property, possession, suum cuique, meum et tuum, ownership, proprietorship, lordship, seignority, empire, interest, stake, estate, right, title, claim, demand, holding, tenure, vested interest, contingent interest, beneficial interest, equitable interest, use, trust, benefit, legal estate, equitable estate, seizin, seisin, absolute interest, paramount estate, freehold, fee tail, fee simple, estate in fee, estate in tail, estate tail, estate in tail male, estate in tail female, estate in tail general, limitation, term, lease, settlement, strict settlement, particular estate, estate for life, estate for years, estate pur autre vie, remainder, reversion, expectancy, possibility, dower, dowry, jointure, appanage, inheritance, heritage, patrimony, alimony, legacy, Falcidian law, paternal estate, thirds, assets, belongings, means, resources, circumstances, wealth, money, what one is worth, what one will cut up for, estate and effects, landed property, landed real estate property, realty, land, lands, tenements, hereditaments, corporeal hereditaments, incorporeal hereditaments, acres, ground, acquest, messuage, toft, territory, state, kingdom, principality, realm, empire, protectorate, sphere of influence, manor, honor, domain, demesne, farm, plantation, hacienda, allodium, fief, fieff, feoff, feud, zemindary, dependency, arado, merestead, ranch, free lease-holds, copy lease-holds, folkland, chattels real, fixtures, plant, heirloom, easement, right of common, right of user, personal property, personal estate, personal effects, personalty, chattels, goods, effects, movables, stock, stock in trade, things, traps, rattletraps, paraphernalia, equipage, parcels, appurtenances, impedimenta, luggage, baggage, bag and baggage, pelf, cargo, lading, rent roll, income, maul and wedges, patent, copyright, chose in action, credit, debt, one's own, landed, predial, manorial, allodial, free lease-hold, copy lease-hold, feudal, feodal, to one's credit, to one's account, to the good, to one and his heirs for ever, to one and the heirs of his body, to one and his heirs and assigns, to one and his executors administrators and assign.

Limit

N limit, boundary, bounds, confine, enclave, term, bourn, verge, curbstone, but, pale, reservation, termination, terminus, stint, frontier, precinct, marches, backwoods, boundary line, landmark, line of demarcation, line of circumvallation, pillars of Hercules, Rubicon, turning point, ne plus ultra, sluice, floodgate, definite, conterminate, conterminable, terminal, frontier, bordering, thus far, thus far and no further, stick to the reservation, go beyond the pale, Special.