Definition of terminate

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rationale
Definition: (noun) an underlying reason or explanation.
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ter·mi·nate

(tûr

-n

) KEY

VERB:
ter·mi·nat·ed, ter·mi·nat·ing, ter·mi·nates
VERB:
tr.

To bring to an end or halt: "His action terminated the most hopeful period of reform in Prussian history" (Gordon A. Craig).
To occur at or form the end of; conclude or finish: a display of fireworks that terminated the festivities.
To discontinue the employment of; dismiss: a company that terminated 300 workers.

VERB:
intr.

To come to an end: The oil pipeline terminates at a shipping port. Negotiations terminated yesterday. See Synonyms at complete.
To have as an end or result: "The Peloponnesian war ... terminated in the ruin of the Athenian commonwealth" (Alexander Hamilton).

ETYMOLOGY:
Latin terminre, termint-, from terminus, end

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