term: [13] The etymological notion underlying the word term is of a ‘limit’ or ‘boundary’, and hence of an ‘end’. It comes via Old French terme from Latin terminus ‘boundary, limit’, which was also borrowed into Welsh as terfyn ‘boundary’ and directly into English in the 17th century as terminus ‘finishing point’ (it was first applied to railway stations in the 1830s).
The notion of a ‘time limit’ led to its use for a ‘period of time’, the sense in which it was first used in English; the particular application to a ‘period in which a school, law court, etc is in session’ emerged in the mid 15th century. The sense ‘word or phrase expressing a particular idea’ arose (through Greek influence) in medieval Latin from the concept of ‘limiting’ the application of an expression.
Also from Latin terminus come English determine, exterminate [16], terminal [15], terminate [16], and terminology [19]. => determine, exterminate, terminology, terminus
term (n.)
c. 1200, terme "limit in time, set or appointed period," from Old French terme "limit of time or place, date, appointed time, duration" (11c.), from Latin terminus "end, boundary line," in Medieval Latin "expression, definition," related to termen "boundary, end" (see terminus). Old English had termen "term, end," from Latin. Sense of "period of time during which something happens" first recorded c. 1300, especially of a school or law court session (mid-15c.).
The meaning "word or phrase used in a limited or precise sense" is first recorded late 14c., from Medieval Latin use of terminus to render Greek horos "boundary," employed in mathematics and logic. Hence in terms of "in the language or phraseology peculiar to." Meaning "completion of the period of pregnancy" is from 1844. Term-paper in U.S. educational sense is recorded from 1931.
term (v.)
"to give a particular name to," 1550s, from term (n.). Related: Termed; terming.
实用例句
1. This is something of a grudge match against a long-term enemy.
这可以说是一场与宿敌你死我活的比赛。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The country had confounded the pundits by electing a fourth-term Tory government.
该国国民连续四次选举托利党来执掌政府，这令专家们困惑不已。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Felipe Gonzalez won a fourth term of office in Spain's election.
费利佩·冈萨雷斯在西班牙选举中获得第4次连任。
来自柯林斯例句
4. There was a net outflow of about £50m in short-term capital.
短期资金净流出额大约为5,000万英镑。
来自柯林斯例句
5. The agreement should have very positive results in the long term.
