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.
雙語例句
1. This is something of a grudge match against a long-term enemy.
這可以說是一場與宿敵你死我活的比賽。
來自柯林斯例句
2. The country had confounded the pundits by electing a fourth-term Tory government.
該國國民連續四次選舉托利黨來執掌政府，這令專家們困惑不已。
來自柯林斯例句
3. Felipe Gonzalez won a fourth term of office in Spain's election.
費利佩·岡薩雷斯在西班牙選舉中獲得第4次連任。
來自柯林斯例句
4. There was a net outflow of about £50m in short-term capital.
短期資金淨流出額大約為5,000萬英鎊。
來自柯林斯例句
5. The agreement should have very positive results in the long term.