terms

term  (tûrm)

n.

1.

a. A limited period of time.

b. A period of time that is assigned to a person to serve: a six-year term as senator. See Synonyms at period.

c. A period when a school or court is in session.

2.

a. A point in time at which something ends; termination: an apprenticeship nearing its term.

b. The end of a normal gestation period: carried the fetus to term.

c. A deadline, as for making a payment.

3. Law

a. A fixed period of time for which an estate is granted.

b. An estate granted for a fixed period.

4.

a. A word or group of words having a particular meaning: had to explain the term gridlock.

b. terms Language of a certain kind; chosen words: spoke in rather vague terms; praised him in glowing terms.

5. One of the elements of a proposed or concluded agreement; a condition. Often used in the plural: offered favorable peace terms; one of the terms of the lease; the terms of a divorce settlement.

6. terms The relationship between two people or groups; personal footing: on good terms with her in-laws.

7. Mathematics

a. One of the quantities composing a ratio or fraction or forming a series.

b. One of the quantities connected by addition or subtraction signs in an equation; a member.

8. Logic Each of the two concepts being compared or related in a proposition.

9.

a. A stone or post marking a boundary, especially a squared and downward-tapering pillar adorned with a head and upper torso.

b. An architectural or decorative motif resembling such a marker.

tr.v. termed, term·ing, terms

To designate; call.

Idiom:

in terms of

1. As measured or indicated by; in units of: distances expressed in terms of kilometers as well as miles; cheap entertainment, but costly in terms of time wasted.

2. In relation to; with reference to: "facilities planned and programmed in terms of their interrelationships, instead of evolving haphazardly" Wharton Magazine.

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[Middle English terme, from Old French, from Latin terminus, boundary. N., senses 4-8, from Middle English, from Medieval Latin terminus, from Late Latin, mathematical or logical term, from Latin, boundary, limit.]

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terms

Noun, pl

1. the actual language or mode of presentation used: the test is carried out in plain non-engineering terms

2. the conditions of an agreement

3. mutual relationship or standing of a specified nature: he is on first-name terms with many of the directors

4. come to terms with to learn to accept (an unpleasant or difficult situation)

5. in terms of as expressed by; with regard to: he is the best cricketer we have got in fact in terms of pure ability

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	terms - status with respect to the relations between people or groups; "on good terms with her in-laws"; "on a friendly footing" footing status, position - the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society; "he had the status of a minor"; "the novel attained the status of a classic"; "atheists do not enjoy a favorable position in American life"
	2.	terms - the amount of money needed to purchase something; "the price of gasoline"; "he got his new car on excellent terms"; "how much is the damage?" price, damage cost - the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor asking price, selling price - the price at which something is offered for sale bid price - (stock market) the price at which a broker is willing to buy a certain security closing price - (stock market) the price of the last transaction completed during a day's trading session factory price - price charged for goods picked up at the factory highway robbery - an exorbitant price; "what they are asking for gas these days is highway robbery" purchase price - the price at which something is actually purchased cash price, spot price - the current delivery price of a commodity traded in the spot market support level - (stock market) the price at which a certain security becomes attractive to investors valuation - assessed price; "the valuation of this property is much too high"

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terms

plural noun 1. language, terminology, phraseology, manner of speaking

plural noun 2. conditions, particulars, provisions, provisos, stipulations, qualifications, premises Law specifications

plural noun 3. relationship, standing, footing, relations, position, status

plural noun 4. price, rates, charges, fee, payment come to terms come to an agreement, reach agreement, come to an understanding, conclude agreement come to terms with something learn to live with, come to accept, be reconciled to, reach acceptance of

USAGE Many people object to the use of in terms of as an all-purpose preposition replacing phrases such as `as regards', `about', and so forth in a context such as the following: in terms of trends in smoking habits, there is good news. They would maintain that in strict usage it should be used to specify a relationship, as in: obesity is defined in terms of body mass index, which involves a bit of cumbersome maths. Nevertheless, despite objections, it is very commonly used as a link word, particularly in speech.