terminal

¹ter·mi·nal

adjective \ˈtərm-nəl, ˈtər-mə-n^əl\

Definition of TERMINAL

1

a : of or relating to an end, extremity, boundary, or terminus <a terminal pillar>

b : growing at the end of a branch or stem <a terminal bud>

2

a : of, relating to, or occurring in a term or each term <terminal payments>

b (1) : leading ultimately to death : fatal <terminal cancer> (2) : approaching or close to death : being in the final stages of a fatal disease <a terminal patient> (3) : of or relating to patients with a terminal illness <terminal care>

c : extremely or hopelessly severe <terminal boredom>

3

a : occurring at or constituting the end of a period or series : concluding <the terminal moments of life>

b : not intended as preparation for further academic work <a terminal curriculum>

— ter·mi·nal·ly adverb

Examples of TERMINAL

1. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
2. I was suffering from terminal boredom.
3. another person with terminal stupidity
4. branches that end in a terminal bud

Origin of TERMINAL

Latin terminalis, from terminus

First Known Use: 1744

Related to TERMINAL

Synonyms

bottommost, closing, concluding, final, hindmost, lag, latest, latter, rearmost, last, terminating, ultimate

Antonyms

beginning, earliest, first, foremost, headmost, inaugural, initial, leadoff, maiden, opening, original, pioneer, primary, starting

Related Words

consequent, ensuing, eventual, following, succeeding; conclusive, crowning, decisive, definitive; farthermost, farthest, furthermost, furthest, remotest; lowermost, lowest, nethermost; endmost, extreme, outermost, outmost, utmost; penultimate

Near Antonyms

eminent, premier, superior

See Synonym Discussion at last

Rhymes with TERMINAL

germinal

²terminal

noun

Definition of TERMINAL

1

: a part that forms the end : extremity, termination

2

: a terminating usually ornamental detail : finial

3

: a device attached to the end of a wire or cable or to an electrical apparatus for convenience in making connections

4

a : either end of a carrier line having facilities for the handling of freight and passengers

b : a freight or passenger station that is central to a considerable area or serves as a junction at any point with other lines

c : a town or city at the end of a carrier line : terminus

5

: a combination of a keyboard and output device (as a video display unit) by which data can be entered into or output from a computer or electronic communications system

Examples of TERMINAL

1. I will meet you outside the bus terminal.
2. Flight 1584 is now departing from Gate 6 in Terminal A.
3. You are not allowed in the terminal without a ticket.
4. Ten terminals are connected to this server.
5. You will need to clean the corrosion off the battery terminals.

First Known Use of TERMINAL

1838

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth