terminal

¹ter·mi·nal

adj \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

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Rhymes with TERMINAL

germinal