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