ter·mi·nal
(tūr
m
-n
l)
KEY
ADJECTIVE:
- Of, at, relating to, or forming a limit, boundary, extremity, or end.
-
Botany
Growing or appearing at the end of a stem, branch, stalk, or similar part.
- Of, at, relating to, or being the end of a section or series; final. See Synonyms at last
1.
- Relating to or occurring in a term or each term:
terminal inventories.
- Causing, ending in, or approaching death; fatal:
terminal cancer; a terminal patient.
NOUN:
- A point or part that forms the end.
- An ornamental figure or object placed at the end of a larger structure; a finial.
-
Electricity
- A position in a circuit or device at which a connection is normally established or broken.
- A passive conductor at such a position used to facilitate the connection.
-
- Either end of a railroad or other transportation line; a terminus.
- A station at the end of a transportation line or at a major junction on a transportation line.
- A town at the end of a transportation line.
-
Computer Science
A device, often equipped with a keyboard and a video display, through which data or information can be entered or displayed.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin
termin
lis, from
terminus,
boundary
OTHER FORMS:
termi·nal·ly
(Adverb)
