term

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A word or phrase used to name a particular thing, often in a special field.

   The doctor explained the medical term in simple language.

2. 2
   noun

   A fixed or limited period of time.

   He was sentenced to a prison term of five years.

3. 3
   noun

   One of the conditions or rules in an agreement or contract.

   Be sure to read the terms and conditions before you sign.

4. 4
   noun

   One of the divisions of a school or university year.

   The autumn term begins in September.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *terh₂-? Proto-Indo-European *ter-? Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *térmn̥der. Proto-Italic *termenos Latin terminus Old French termebor. Middle English terme English term From Middle English terme, borrowed from Old French terme, from Latin terminus (“a bound, boundary, limit, end; in Medieval Latin, also a time, period, word, covenant, etc.”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *térmn̥ (“stump, end, boundary”). Doublet of terminus and termon. Old English had termen, from the same source.

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