n.
Pronunciation: ' t ə rm-n ə l, ' t ə r-m ə -n ə l
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