term English · revision 2537

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1200 (Ancrene Riwle)|origins=la terminus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /tɜːm/, US /tɝːm/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|terme]], [[bor|fro|terme|t=limit of time or place, date, duration]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from [[la|terminus|t=end, boundary line]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) which in Medieval Latin, and in Late Latin logic and mathematics, also meant “expression, definition”.^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)^(Klein 1966) Latin ''terminus'' is related to [[m|la|termen|t=boundary, end]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and is cognate with Greek [[m|grc|τέρμα|tr=térma|t=goal, boundary, end]] and [[m|grc|τέρμων|tr=térmōn|t=boundary]], and with Sanskrit tárati, “he crosses over”.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline notes that Old English had already borrowed [[m|ang|termen|t=term, end]] from Latin.^(Etymonline) It is related to [[terminus]], [[terminal]], [[terminate]] and [[determine]].^(Hoad 1986)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A limit in time, a set or appointed period: probably before 1200, in the ''Ancrene Riwle'',^(Barnhart 1988) or about 1200.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A limit or boundary in space is from the 13th century,^(OED 1989) and the end of duration or existence from before 1300.^(OED 1989) The period of time during which something happens is from about 1300,^(Etymonline) and in the plural, the limiting conditions of an agreement (''on these terms'') from the 14th century.^(Hoad 1986) The sense “word or expression with a definite meaning” came from Medieval Latin,^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) and Hoad dates it to the 14th century.^(Hoad 1986) Each of the fixed days for paying rent and wages is a ''term'' from 1426.^(OED 1989) The period when a law court or a school is in session is from 1454.^(Barnhart 1988) The verb meant “to bring a legal dispute to an end” in the late 15th century,^(Etymonline) and “to give a name to, call” from 1560^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) or the 1550s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1200 – a set period of time (''Ancrene Riwle'').^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 13th century – a limit, boundary.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1300 – a period during which something happens.^(Etymonline)

+ * 14th century – ''terms'', conditions; a word or expression.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1426 – a day for paying rent.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1454 – a session of a court or school.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1560 – verb, to name.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A limited period of time, especially one assigned to someone to serve: ''a term of office''.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A period when a school or court is in session.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ # A point at which something ends, such as the end of a [[pregnancy]] or a deadline for payment.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # A word or expression with a precise meaning, especially in a particular field.^(AHD)^(Hoad 1986)

+ # ''(terms)'' The conditions of an agreement; also, a standing between people: ''on good terms''.^(AHD)^(Hoad 1986)

+ # ''(mathematics, logic)'' Each of the quantities in an expression or the parts of a [[proposition]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To call or name.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[termly]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[terminal]]

+ * [[terminate]]

+ * [[terminology]]

+ * [[terminus]]

+ * [[determine]]

+ * [[exterminate]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Scotland a ''term'' was one of the half-yearly hiring days at Whitsuntide and Martinmas.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}