[end] n [ME ende, fr. OE; akin to OHG enti end, L ante before, Gk anti against] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the part of an area that lies at the boundary b (1): a point that marks the extent of something (2): the point where something ceases to exist "world without ~" c: the extreme or last part lengthwise: tip d: the terminal unit of something spatial that is marked off by units e: a player stationed at the extremity of a line (as in football)
2. a: cessation of a course of action, pursuit, or activity b: death, destruction c (1): the ultimate state (2): result, issue
3: something incomplete, fragmentary, or undersized: remnant
4. a: an outcome worked toward: purpose "the ~ of poetry is to be poetry --R. P. Warren" b: the object by virtue of or for the sake of which an event takes place
5. a: a share in an undertaking "kept your ~ up" b: a particular operation or aspect of an undertaking or organization "the sales ~ of the business"
6: something that is extreme: ultimate--used with the 7: a period of action or turn in any of various sports events (as archery or lawn bowling) syn see intention -- end.ed adj -- in the end : after all, ultimately -- no end : exceedingly -- on end : without a stop or letup "it rained for days on end"
[2]end vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to bring to an end b: destroy
2: to make up the end of ~ vi 1 a: to come to an end b: to reach a specified ultimate rank or situation--usu. used with up "~ed up as a colonel"
2: die syn see close [3]end adj (13c): final, ultimate "~ results" "~ markets" "~ product" [4]end vt [prob. alter. of E dial. in (to harvest)] (1607) dial Eng: to put (grain or hay) into a barn or stack