TERM, n. [L. terminus, a limit or boundary.]

1. A limit; a bound or boundary; the extremity of any thing; that which limits its extent. Corruption is a reciprocal to generation, and they two are as nature's two terms or boundaries. Bacon.
2. The time for which any thing lasts; any limited time; as, the term of five years; the term of life.
3. In geometry, a point or line that limits. A line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid.
4. In law, the limitation of an estate; or rather the whole time or duration of an estate; as, a lease for the term of life, for the term of three lives, for the term of twenty-one years.
5. In law, the time in which a court is held or open for the trial of causes. In England there are four terms in the year; Hilary term, from January 23d to February 12th; Easter term, from Wednesday, fortnight after Easter, to the Monday next after Ascension-day; Trinity term, from Friday next after Trinity Sunday to the Wednesday fortnight after; and Michaelmas term, from November 6th to the 28th. These terms are observed by the courts of king's bench, the common pleas and exchequer, but not by the parliament, the chancery or by inferior courts. The rest of the year is called vacation. 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. In universities and colleges, the time during which instruction is regularly given to students, who are obliged by the statutes and laws of the institution to attend to the recitations, lectures and other exercises.
7. In grammar, a word or expression; that which fixes or determines ideas. In painting, the greatest beauties can not be always expressed for want of terms. Dryden.
8. In the arts, a word or expression that denotes something peculiar to an art; as, a technical term.
9. In logic, a syllogism consists of three terms, the major, the minor, and the middle. The predicate of the conclusion is called the major term, because it is the most general, and the subject of the conclusion is called the minor term, because it is less general. These are called the extremes; and the third term, introduced as a common measure between them, is called the mean or middle term. Thus in the following syllogism: Every vegetable is combustible; Every tree is a vegetable; Therefore every tree is combustible; Combustible is the predicate of the conclusion, or the major term; every tree is the minor term; vegetable is the middle term. Hedge's Logic.
10. In architecture, a kind of statues or columns adorned on the top with the figure of a head, either of a man, woman or satyr. Terms are sometimes used as consoles, and sustain entablatures; and sometimes as statues to adorn gardens. Cyc.
11. Among the ancients, terms, termini miliares, were the heads of certain divinities placed on square land-marks of stone, to mark the several stadia on roads. These were dedicated to Mercury, who was supposed to preside over highways. Cyc.
12. In algebra, a member of a compound quantity; as, a, in a+b; or ab, in ab+cd. Day.
13. Among physicians, the monthly uterine secretion of females is called terms. Bailey.
14. In contracts, terms, in the plural, are conditions; propositions stated or promises made, which when assented to or accepted by another, settle the contract and bind the parties. A. engages to build a house for B. for a specific sum of money, in a given time; these are his terms. When B. promises to give to A. that sum for building the house, he has agreed to the terms; the contract is completed and binding upon both parties. Terms of proportion, in mathematics, are such numbers, letters or quantities as are compared one with another. To make terms, to come to an agreement. To come to terms, to agree; to come to an agreement. To bring to terms, to reduce to submission or to conditions.

To name; to call; denominate. Men term what is beyond the limits of the universe, imaginary space. Locke.

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. To apply a term to] to name; to call; to denominate.
   
   

   Men term what is beyond the limits of the universe "imaginary space." Locke.

3. The time for which anything lasts; any limited time; as, a term of five years; the term of life.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. A fixed period of time; a prescribed duration
   
   
   ; as: (a)
7. 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.

   * The predicate of the conclusion is called the major term, because it is the most general, and the subject of the conclusion is called the minor term, because it is less general. These are called the extermes; and the third term, introduced as a common measure between them, is called the mean or middle term. Thus in the following syllogism, --

   Every vegetable is combustible; Every tree is a vegetable; Therefore every tree is combustible, -

   combustible, the predicate of the conclusion, is the major term; tree is the minor term; vegetable is the middle term.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. A member of a compound quantity; as, a or b in a + b; ab or cd in ab - cd.
11. The menses.
12. Propositions or promises, as in contracts, which, when assented to or accepted by another, settle the contract and bind the parties; conditions.
13. 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.

14. A piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail.
    
    
    J. Knowels.

    In term, in set terms] in formal phrase. [Obs.]

    I can not speak in term. Chaucer.

    -- Term fee (Law) (a), a fee by the term, chargeable to a suitor, or by law fixed and taxable in the costs of a cause for each or any term it is in court. -- Terms of a proportion (Math.), the four members of which it is composed. -- To bring to terms, to compel (one) to agree, assent, or submit; to force (one) to come to terms. -- To make terms, to come to terms; to make an agreement: to agree.

    Syn. -- Limit; bound; boundary; condition; stipulation; word; expression. -- Term, Word. These are more frequently interchanged than almost any other vocables that occur of the language. There is, however, a difference between them which is worthy of being kept in mind. Word is generic; it denotes an utterance which represents or expresses our thoughts and feelings. Term originally denoted one of the two essential members of a proposition in logic, and hence signifies a word of specific meaning, and applicable to a definite class of objects. Thus, we may speak of a scientific or a technical term, and of stating things in distinct terms. Thus we say, "the term minister literally denotes servant;" "an exact definition of terms is essential to clearness of thought;" "no term of reproach can sufficiently express my indignation;" "every art has its peculiar and distinctive terms," etc. So also we say, "purity of style depends on the choice of words, and precision of style on a clear understanding of the terms used." Term is chiefly applied to verbs, nouns, and adjectives, these being capable of standing as terms in a logical proposition; while prepositions and conjunctions, which can never be so employed, are rarely spoken of as terms, but simply as words.