I. ˈtərm-nəl, ˈtər-mə-n ə l 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
II. noun
Date: 1838
1. : a part that forms the end : extremity , termination
2. : a terminating usually ornamental detail : finial
3. : a device attached to the end of a wire or cable or to an electrical apparatus for convenience in making connections
4.
a. : either end of a carrier line having facilities for the handling of freight and passengers
b. : a freight or passenger station that is central to a considerable area or serves as a junction at any point with other lines
c. : a town or city at the end of a carrier line : terminus
5. : a combination of a keyboard and output device (as a video display unit) by which data can be entered into or output from a computer or electronic communications system