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terminal

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The definition of terminal refers to the end of something, or something that is likely to end in death.

(adjective)

The date on which a government aid program will end is an example of a terminal date.
Cancer that is going to result in a person dying in a month is an example of a terminal disease.

Terminal is defined as a transportation hub or destination, or a device for communicating with a computer, or a connective point in an electric circuit.

(noun)

The area where all the trains leave from is an example of a railway terminal.
The keyboard and screen where you search for books in the library is an example of a computer terminal.
The point where two electric circuits are joined is an example of a terminal.

See terminal in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

of, at, or forming the end, extremity, or terminus of something: terminal feathers
occurring at the end of a series; concluding; closing; final: a terminal payment
designating, of, or having a fatal disease in its final stages: terminal cancer, to be diagnosed as terminal
Informal extreme or excessive: terminal cuteness
having to do with a term or established period of time; occurring regularly in each term
of, at, or forming the end of a transportation line
Bot. growing at the end of a stem or branch: a terminal bud

Origin: L terminalis

noun

a terminating part; end; extremity; limit
a connective device or point in or attached to an electric circuit or conductor
☆
1. either end of a transportation line, as for an airplane, bus, or railroad, including servicing facilities, etc.
2. a station or city located there
3. a station at any important point or junction of a transportation line
a device, usually with a typewriter keyboard and a video screen, for putting information into, or getting it from, a computer, as over communication lines
Archit. an ornamental carving at the end of a structural element

Related Forms:

terminally adverb

See terminal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

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 last¹.
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. A position in a circuit or device at which a connection is normally established or broken.
b. A passive conductor at such a position used to facilitate the connection.
a. Either end of a railroad or other transportation line; a terminus.
b. A station at the end of a transportation line or at a major junction on a transportation line.
c. 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.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin terminālis

Origin: , from terminus, boundary

Related Forms:

terˈmi·nal·ly adverb

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