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.
例文
1. This is something of a grudge match against a long- term enemy.
宿敵との死闘とも言える試合だ。
2.The country had confounded the pundits by electing a fourth- term Tory government.
同国国民がトーリー党を4回連続で選出して政権を握っていることに、専門家たちは困惑している。
3.Felipe Gonzalez won a fourth term of office in Spain 's election.
フェリペ?ゴンサレスがスペイン選挙で4度目の再選を果たした。
4. There was a net outflow of about ￡50m in short- term capital.
短期資金純流出額は約5000万ポンド。
5.The agreement should have very positive results in the long term .