— termly , adv.
/terrm/ , n.
1. a word or group of words designating something, esp. in a particular field, as atom in physics, quietism in theology, adze in carpentry, or district leader in politics.
2. any word or group of words considered as a member of a construction or utterance.
3. the time or period through which something lasts.
4. a period of time to which limits have been set: elected for a term of four years.
5. one of two or more divisions of a school year, during which instruction is regularly provided.
6. an appointed or set time or date, as for the payment of rent, interest, wages, etc.
7. terms ,
a. conditions with regard to payment, price, charge, rates, wages, etc.: reasonable terms.
b. conditions or stipulations limiting what is proposed to be granted or done: the terms of a treaty.
c. footing or standing; relations: on good terms with someone.
d. Obs. state, situation, or circumstances.
8. Algebra , Arith.
a. each of the members of which an expression, a series of quantities, or the like, is composed, as one of two or more parts of an algebraic expression.
b. a mathematical expression of the form ax p , ax p y q , etc., where a, p, and q are numbers and x and y are variables.
9. Logic.
a. the subject or predicate of a categorical proposition.
b. the word or expression denoting the subject or predicate of a categorical proposition.
10. Also called terminus . a figure, esp. of Terminus, in the form of a herm, used by the ancient Romans as a boundary marker; terminal figure.
11. Law.
a. an estate or interest in land or the like, to be enjoyed for a fixed period.
b. the duration of an estate.
c. each of the periods during which certain courts of law hold their sessions.
12. completion of pregnancy; parturition.
13. Archaic.
a. end, conclusion, or termination.
b. boundary or limit.
14. bring to terms , to force to agree to stated demands or conditions; bring into submission: After a long struggle, we brought them to terms.
15. come to terms ,
a. to reach an agreement; make an arrangement: to come to terms with a creditor.
b. to become resigned or accustomed: to come to terms with one's life.
16. eat one's terms , Brit. Informal. to study for the bar; be a law student.
17. in terms of , with regard to; concerning: The book offers nothing in terms of a satisfactory conclusion.
v.t.
18. to apply a particular term or name to; name; call; designate.
[ 1175-1225; ME terme terminus boundary, limit, end; akin to Gk térmon limit ]