Main Entry: ¹ter·mi·nal

Pronunciation: \ˈtərm-nəl, ˈtər-mə-n^əl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin terminalis, from terminus

Date: 1744

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>

synonyms see last

— ter·mi·nal·ly adverb