Term , noun
[French terme, Latin termen, -inis, terminus, a boundary limit, end; akin to Greek {not transcribed}, {not transcribed}. See Thrum a tuft, and compare Terminus, Determine, Exterminate.]
1.
That which limits the extent of anything; limit; extremity; bound; boundary.
Corruption is a reciprocal to generation, and they two are as nature's two terms, or boundaries. — Bacon
2.
The time for which anything lasts; any limited time; as, a term of five years; the term of life.
3.
In universities, schools, etc., a definite continuous period during which instruction is regularly given to students; as, the school year is divided into three terms.
4.
(Geometry) A point, line, or superficies, that limits; as, a line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid.
5.
(Law) A fixed period of time; a prescribed duration
(a)
(Law) The limitation of an estate; or rather, the whole time for which an estate is granted, as for the term of a life or lives, or for a term of years.
(b)
(Law) A space of time granted to a debtor for discharging his obligation.
(c)
(Law) The time in which a court is held or is open for the trial of causes. — Bouvier
In England, there were formerly four terms in the year, during which the superior courts were open: Hilary term, beginning on the 11th and ending on the 31st of January; Easter term, beginning on the 15th of April, and ending on the 8th of May; Trinity term, beginning on the 22d day of May, and ending on the 12th of June; Michaelmas term, beginning on the 2d and ending on the 25th day of November. The rest of the year was called vacation. But this division has been practically abolished by the Judicature Acts of 1873, 1875, which provide for the more convenient arrangement of the terms and vacations.
In the United States, the terms to be observed by the tribunals of justice are prescribed by the statutes of Congress and of the several States.
6.
(Logic) The subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism, each one of which is used twice.
The subject and predicate of a proposition are, after Aristotle, together called its terms or extremes. — Sir W. Hamilton
7.
A word or expression; specifically, one that has a precisely limited meaning in certain relations and uses, or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or the like; as, a technical
term.
Terms quaint of law. — Chaucer
In painting, the greatest beauties can not always be expressed for want of terms. — Dryden
8.
(Architecture) A quadrangular pillar, adorned on the top with the figure of a head, as of a man, woman, or satyr; -- called also
terminal figure. See
Terminus, n., 2 and 3.
The pillar part frequently tapers downward, or is narrowest at the base. Terms rudely carved were formerly used for landmarks or boundaries. Gwilt.
9.
(Algebra) A member of a compound quantity; as, a or b in a + b; ab or cd in ab - cd.
10.
(Medicine) The menses.
11.
(Law) Propositions or promises, as in contracts, which, when assented to or accepted by another, settle the contract and bind the parties; conditions.
12.
(Law) In Scotland, the time fixed for the payment of rents.
Terms legal and conventional in Scotland correspond to quarter days in England and Ireland. There are two legal terms -- Whitsunday, May 15, and Martinmas, Nov. 11; and two conventional terms -- Candlemas, Feb. 2, and Lammas day, Aug. 1. Mozley & W.
13.
(Nautical) A piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail.
— J. Knowels I can not speak in term. — Chaucer