Main Entry: ¹term

Pronunciation: \ˈtərm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English terme, from Anglo-French, from Latin terminus boundary marker, limit; akin to Greek termōn boundary, end, Sanskrit tarman top of a post

Date: 13th century

1 a : end, termination; also : a point in time assigned to something (as a payment) b : the time at which a pregnancy of normal length terminates <had her baby at full term>
2 a : a limited or definite extent of time; especially : the time for which something lasts : duration, tenure <term of office> <lost money in the short term> b : the whole period for which an estate is granted; also : the estate or interest held by one for a term c : the time during which a court is in session
3 plural : provisions that determine the nature and scope of an agreement : conditions <terms of sale> <liberal credit terms>
4 a : a word or expression that has a precise meaning in some uses or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or subject <legal terms> b plural : expression of a specified kind <described in glowing terms>
5 a : a unitary or compound expression connected with another by a plus or minus sign b : an element of a fraction or proportion or of a series or sequence
6 plural a : mutual relationship : footing <on good terms> b : agreement, concord <come to terms after extensive negotiations> c : a state of acceptance or understanding <came to terms with the failure of his marriage>
7 : any of the three substantive elements of a syllogism
8 : a quadrangular pillar often tapering downward and adorned on the top with the figure of a head or the upper part of the body
9 : division in a school year during which instruction is regularly given to students

— in terms of : with respect to or in relation to <thinks of everything in terms of money>

— on one's own terms : in accordance with one's wishes : in one's own way <prefers to live on his own terms>