terminateadj.n.
/ˈtəːmᵻnət/, U.S. /ˈtərmənət/ A. adj.† 2. Directed to a specific end or in a specific direction. Obsolete. rare.
1. † a. Of a determinate form or size; limited, defined, definite. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > edge, border, or margin > boundary > [adjective] > having boundary
terminatea1500
circumscriptible?1550
circumscript1564
circumscriptive1564
boundedc1600
limitatec1600
disterminate?1615
circumscribed1739
space-bound1934
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [adjective] > come or brought to an end
past1340
consummatea1500
determined1581
finished1582
overpassed1582
overspent1597
ended1598
spent1609
expired1631
terminate1639
winded1642
petered-out1971
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > infiniteness > finiteness > [adjective]
terminable1548
finite1633
measureda1634
terminate1645
boundsome1674
boundly1817
finited1846
a1500 (a1450) tr. Secreta Secret. (Ashm. 396) (1977) 20 Euery of hem [sc. sections of a book] conteyneth chapiters and terminat parcels or articles.
a1500 (c1477) T. Norton Ordinal of Alchemy (BL Add.) (1975) l. 1821 Tawny is of clernys termynate.
1576 T. Hill Moste Pleasaunte Arte Interpretacion of Dreames (new ed.) sig. Bii All other Accidences by theymselues haue terminate causes.
1589 C. Ocland Fountaine Variance, Sedition & Deadlie Hate 15 The Catholique Church of God..not tied to any one certaine or terminate place, but vniuersall.
1639 G. Daniel Ecclus. xli. 38 What if the vncertaine Date Of Mortalls in ten years be Terminate.
1645 K. Digby Two Treat. (new ed.) i. xxviii. 301 A terminate [1644 determinate] quantity or multitude of parts.
1657 R. Turner tr. Paracelsus Of Chymical Transmutation 64 The terminate, privative and perfect end of every particular act.
1750 tr. C. Leonardus Mirror of Stones 35 Colour is the extremity of the perspicuous in a terminate body.
b. Mathematics. Of a sequence of numbers, esp. a decimal: that has only a finite number of terms; that does not continue indefinitely. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1714 S. Cunn New Treat. Fractions viii. 61 A Terminate Decimal is that which runs downwards to a certain place, and there ends.
1814 C. Butler Easy Introd. Math. II. vii. 182 A series which can be completely expressed by a finite number of terms, is called a finite or terminate series.
1964 A. H. Beiler Recreations in Theory of Numbers (1966) x. 73 Numbers such as 2, 4, 5, 8, 10..consist only of powers of 2 and 5, and therefore their reciprocals are terminate decimals.
c. Grammar. That denotes a completed action or the completion of an action; = terminative adj. 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [adjective] > terminative
terminative1902
terminate1931
1931 G. O. Curme Syntax xix. 386 The terminate aspect has relations also to the durative aspect.
1946 Trans. Philol. Soc. 1945 130 The distinction between the ‘terminate’ and the ‘progressive’ aspects of the verb, e.g. I go/am going, do you go/are you going?
1972 M. L. Samuels Linguistic Evol. 161 If a terminate or point-action meaning was required for a majority of its occurrences in the preterite, the short vowel was preferred.
2003 D. D. Sharma Munda viii. 87 All other intermediary stages are expressed with the Terminate aspect, representing the factual aspect of the act as a whole.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > [adjective]
terminate1676
the mind > will > intention > [adjective] > directed (of the mind, etc.)
terminate1676
1676 H. More Remarks 2 Disc. 37 I demand, If the mobility of water upwards be not as intrinsick to it as downwards..? for where the water is rightly placed, it has no terminate motion at all.
B. n.
Grammar. A terminative (terminative adj. 4b) verb. rare.Apparently only found in the work of G. O. Curme.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [noun] > other specific aspects
infectum1833
iterative1853
permansive1872
resultative1902
progressive1906
egressive1914
terminate1931
1931 G. O. Curme Syntax xix. 385 A large number of simple and compound verbs indicate an action as a whole. Such verbs are called terminates.
1935 G. O. Curme Gram. Eng. Lang. II. 237 In terminates it [sc. the present participle] represents the act as a whole, as a fact.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
terminatev.
/ˈtəːmᵻneɪt/, U.S. /ˈtɛrməˌneɪt/ 1.
a. transitive. To bring to an end, put an end to, cause to cease.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease or put a stop to
astintc700
stathea1200
atstuntc1220
to put an end toa1300
to set end ofa1300
batec1300
stanch1338
stinta1350
to put awayc1350
arrestc1374
finisha1375
terminec1390
achievea1393
cease1393
removec1405
terminate?a1425
stop1426
surceasec1435
resta1450
discontinue1474
adetermine1483
blina1500
stay1525
abrogatea1529
suppressa1538
to set in or at stay1538
to make stay of1572
depart1579
check1581
intercept1581
to give a stop toa1586
dirempt1587
date1589
period1595
astayc1600
nip1600
to break off1607
snape1631
sist1635
to make (a) stop of1638
supersede1643
assopiatea1649
periodizea1657
unbusya1657
to put a stop to1679
to give the holla to1681
to run down1697
cessate1701
end1737
to choke off1818
stopper1821
punctuate1825
to put a stopper on1828
to take off ——1845
still1850
to put the lid on1873
on the fritz1900
to close down1903
to put the fritz on something1910
to put the bee on1918
switch1921
to blow the whistle on1934
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > bring to an end or conclude [verb (transitive)]
yendc1000
abatec1300
finec1300
endc1305
finisha1375
definec1384
terminec1390
achievea1393
out-enda1400
terminate?a1425
conclude1430
close1439
to bring adowna1450
terma1475
adetermine1483
determine1483
to knit up1530
do1549
parclose1558
to shut up1575
expire1578
date1589
to close up1592
period1595
includea1616
apostrophate1622
to wind off1650
periodizea1657
dismiss1698
to wind up1740
to put the lid on1873
to put the tin hat on something1900
to wash up1925
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 25 Flegmon is terminate [?c1425 Paris determyned; L. terminatur] by resolucioun or bi saniacioun or bi putrefaccioun.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1869) II. 237 (MED) A floode was made..In whiche yere the firste age of the worlde is terminate [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. Þis ȝere endeþ; L. terminatur], from Adam to the grete floode.
1572–3 Court Bk. Broughton & Canongate (1937) 430 The discussing thairof suld be first terminat.
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) xx. 92 Her eyes Opened with teares, in care of her estate, Which now, her friends resolu'd to terminate To more delaies; and make her marry one.
1684 tr. T. Bonet Guide Pract. Physician xix. xxix. 810 Judicatories (or Crises) which do not terminate the disease, are signs of a predominant and perverse humour.
1732 J. Arbuthnot Pract. Rules of Diet iii. 304 [It] will sooner terminate the cold Fit.
1796 F. Burney Camilla IV. viii. iv. 277 Camilla had every hope that this..would terminate every perplexity.
1825 W. Scott Talisman i, in Tales Crusaders III. 13 The Christian knight, desirous to terminate this illusory warfare..seized the mace.
1854 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity III. viii. ix. 537 They had assisted in terminating a disastrous schism which had distracted Christendom.
1926 in K. Laybourn Brit. Trade Unionism (1991) 149 The General Council accordingly decided at their meeting to-day to terminate the general stoppage.
1969 R. L. Keiser Vice Lords iv. 43 To terminate a social episode most individuals say simply, ‘Later.’
2004 Chicago Tribune (Midwest ed.) 11 July i. 14 (advt.) Terminate your lease early and get into a new GM car or truck today!
b. transitive. To come at the end of (a book, a meeting, etc.), to form the conclusion of.
ΚΠ
1761 tr. A.-Y. Goguet Origin Laws, Arts, & Sci. III. iii. ii. 119 The knowledge which the Greeks may have acquired in astronomy in the ages which terminate [Fr. terminent] the third part of our work.
1798 S. Lee Young Lady's Tale in H. Lee Canterbury Tales II. 497 Cold thanks for her civilities..terminated the visit.
1826 G. Townsend Old Test., Hist. & Chronological Order 778 It [sc. the book of Ezra] begins with a repetition of the two verses which terminate the book of Chronicles.
1893 Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 20 181 A complete family, generic and specific index..terminates the work.
1911 Archaeol. Rep. for 1910–11 (Egypt Explor. Fund) 34 A list of cuneiform renderings of the Egyptian consonants terminates the book.
2002 P. K. Njiru Charisms & Holy Spirit's Activity i. ii. 125 The final expression that terminates the discussion.
c. transitive. To end (a pregnancy) before term by artificial means; (later also) to abort (a fetus). Also intransitive.
ΚΠ
1887 Amer. Lancet Jan. 12/1 Attempts to terminate pregnancy by the use of a probe or sound are becoming very frequent.
1938 Times 19 July 4/7 Mr. Bourne did not terminate the pregnancy of this girl in good faith for the purpose of preserving the life of the girl.
1977 M. Potts Abortion vii. 259 Neither the congregation nor priests perceive the intent to terminate a very early pregnancy as a sin.
1986 B. K. Rothman Tentative Pregnancy vii. 214 If she had to terminate, she..would do her ‘grieving work’.
1999 A. Hadley Tough Choices 36 There was no way I was having my baby terminated.
2003 Nation 19 May 2/2 Not wanting our child to suffer, we decided to terminate the pregnancy.
d. transitive. Originally U.S. To dismiss (from employment), to sack.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss or discharge
to put awaya1387
discharge1428
dismiss1477
to put out of wages1542
discard1589
to turn away1602
to put off1608
disemploy1619
to pay off1648
to pay off1651
to turn out1667
to turn off1676
quietus1688
strip1756
trundle1794
unshop1839
shopc1840
to lay off1841
sack1841
drop1845
to give (a person) the shoot1846
bag1848
swap1862
fire1879
to knock off1881
bounce1884
to give (a person) the pushc1886
to give (a person) the boot or the order of the boot1888
bump1899
spear1911
to strike (a medical practitioner, etc.) off the register1911
terminate1920
tramp1941
shitcan1961
pink slip1966
dehire1970
resize1975
to give a person his jotters1990
the world > life > death > killing > man-killing or homicide > murder or assassination > murder or assassinate [verb (transitive)]
amurderOE
murderc1175
homicidec1470
murdresc1480
murtrish1490
manquell1548
slaughter1582
massacre1591
assassinate1600
remove1609
assassin1620
to do the business for a person1759
Septembrize1794
croak1823
square1888
shift1898
to take out1900
to bump off1907
bump1914
to do in1914
to put out1917
to knock off1919
terminate1920
to give (a person) the works1929
scrag1930
snuff1932
wash1941
waste1964
wipe1968
to terminate with extreme prejudice1969
neutralize1970
snuff1973
stiff1974
1920 D. Bloomfield Labor Maintenance App. 419 It is generally agreed that the number of ‘separations’ or those terminated from employment, will constitute the labor turnover.
1973 N.Y. Law Jrnl. 25 July 13/1 There was no probable cause to believe that he had been terminated in retaliation for having filed previous complaints against petitioners.
1976 M. Machlin Pipeline xviii. 228 You could be terminated without having any appeal to the union.
1980 R. L. Duncan Brimstone ii. 36 Adamson's putting pressure on me to terminate you.
2000 Sunday News (Tanzania) 2 Apr. 6/1 Jofrey..was shocked to read that he was terminatedfrom work.
e. transitive. Originally U.S. colloquial. To assassinate (a person, esp. an intelligence agent). Earliest in to terminate with extreme prejudice at prejudice n. 4c.
ΚΠ
1969 N.Y. Times 14 Aug. 2 His status as a double agent was reportedly confirmed by the Central Intelligence Agency, which..suggested that he either be isolated or ‘terminated with extreme prejudice’.
1975 N. Luard Robespierre Serial iv. 27 A free-lance agent who'd been given a contract to terminate an individual the Service had declared hostile.
1981 T. Barling Bikini Red North ii. 51 Haddad was terminated by persons unknown.
2009 Tampa (Florida) Tribune 11 Sept. 23 The mission to terminate terrorists in a land of extremism.
2.
a. transitive. To bound or limit spatially; to form the material extremity or border of (a geographical location, a country, etc.); to be situated at the end of. Also in passive of a physical object or feature: to end in or with something (= sense 2b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > edge, border, or margin > boundary > bound or form boundary of [verb (transitive)]
terminate?a1425
border1570
limit1578
frontier1599
lista1600
bound1601
confine1601
bounder1636
verge1817
delimit1879
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 94 (MED) In þe towel forsoþ ar terminate [L. terminantur], or ended, 5 veynez, which ar called emoraidez.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 79 Inde is terminate [L. terminatur] from the este with the rysenge of the sonne, of the sowthe with the occean, [etc.].
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. xi. f. 317 A Pyramis is terminated and bordered with diuers superficieces.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 42 The South [of Guzerat] is terminated by the Sea.
1660 E. Warcupp tr. F. Schottus Italy i. 58 The River Oglio, which terminates the Venetians dominions.
1713 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey vii, in Guardian 29 Sept. 1/2 Beds of all various Herbs, for ever green, In beauteous Order terminate the Scene.
1747 J. Hervey Refl. Flower-garden 28 in Medit. among Tombs On another Side, the great Deep terminates the View.
1797 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 404/2 That which comes under the foremost beam of the gun-deck may terminate the fore part of the orlop.
1828 J. Stark Elements Nat. Hist. II. 391 Abdomen..elongated, conical, terminated in the female by a long perforator.
1930 Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 82 258 North Cliff, near the village of San Andres, terminates the range of hills.
1961 Ann. Brit. School Athens 56 147 Low hillocks..terminate the bay on the north.
1987 E. H. J. Pallett Aircraft Electr. Syst. (ed. 3) i. 7/2 The screened output supply cables are terminated in filter or suppressor units.
1991 P. Martin Pleasure Gardens Virginia vi. 141/1 The hills and river terminated the view.
b. intransitive. Of a physical object or feature: to come to an end; esp. to have its end or extremity in a specified place or form; to end at, in, or with something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > edge, border, or margin > boundary > form continuous boundary [verb (intransitive)] > be bounded
stint1613
terminate1634
1634 J. Shirley Triumph of Peace 22 The Scene is changed into a plaine Champion Country which terminates with the Horizon.
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1644 (1955) II. 110 A..spacious gravell Walke, that terminates in a Grotto.
1675 J. Ogilby Britannia Pref. 3 Ascending till it [sc. a road] terminate at the Top of the..Scroll.
1705 F. Fuller Medicina Gymnastica 14 The Blood-Vessels..all terminate in a Cone.
1773 J. Hawkesworth Acct. Voy. Southern Hemisphere II. i. x. 99 These hills..continued for about three miles more, and then terminated in a large plain.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 227 Their tails terminate with a hard horny spur.
1801 A. Mackenzie Voy. from Montreal in Jrnls. & Lett. (1970) 115 The plains terminate towards the rocky mountain.
1868 R. Owen On Anat. Vertebr. III. 414 The left extremity of the stomach is bifid, and terminates in two round cul-de-sacs.
1927 Travel Nov. 24/1 The balustrades terminate in the familiar ‘nagas’—the mythical seven-headed cobras.
1979 Antiquaries Jrnl. 59 392 The base of the handle..terminates with a moulded appliqué head.
2002 R. D. Treloar Plumbing: Heating & Gas Installations (ed. 2) vii. 312 The rainwater pipe may terminate at the lower level in a rainwater shoe, discharging into a gully.
c. intransitive. Of a word: to end in (a letter or sound).
ΚΠ
1640 S. Daines Orthoepia Anglicana 30 Participials terminating in ired, as..admired.
1693 R. South Animadversions upon Dr. Sherlock's Bk. vi. 149 Such words, as in English terminate in -ness.
1709 I. Littlebury tr. Herodotus Hist. I. i. 89 All Names representing the Person or Dignity of a Man, terminate in that letter which the Dorians call San, and the Ionians Sigma.
1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. 27 Sometimes also, when the singular terminates in s, the apostrophick s is not added; as, ‘For goodness' sake..’.
1809 A. Edmondston View Zetland Islands I. 137 Many names of places..terminate in seter.
1865 Pall Mall Gaz. 25 July 4/1 Greek compounds terminating in ‘on’ are very fashionable, and have a truly learned smack.
1912 Amer. Anthropologist 14 575 The faint vowel sounds (mostly a and i) in which words belonging to..dialects of the Illinois group terminate.
1968 Zeitschrift f. vergleichende Sprachforschung 82 10 A group of 14 words terminating in -asāná-.
2002 Internat. Jrnl. Amer. Linguistics 68 160 There is some voicing in the following vowel which terminates in voicelessness before the stressed syllable voiceless consonant.
d. intransitive. Of a railway line or other transport route: to have its end point in a specified place, to reach its terminus. Also of train, bus, ferry, etc.: to come to the end of a scheduled route, to reach the final station, stop, etc., on a particular journey. With adverbial phrase (frequently beginning with at) indicating the end point of the route.
ΚΠ
1835 W. Elliot Remarks Proposed Rail-way Hanover & Brunswick to Hamburg II. 48 A rail-way might begin or terminate where the caprice of its projectors pleased.
1869 Bradshaw's Railway Man. 21 87 This line..terminates in the city.
1893 Electr. Engineer 4 Jan. 14/2 The establishment of an electric tramway..to terminate at the Porta Sempione.
1958 Financial Times 27 Oct. 9/1 The Dublin-Manchester-Zurich-Rome route will terminate at Zurich.
1993 M. Daly et al. Austral.: Rough Guide ii. i. 79 Ferries from Circular Quay..terminate on a small section of harbour beach.
2011 Belfast Tel. (Nexis) 21 May 30 The airport bus terminates close to Castle Square.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > make firm, establish
i-fastc950
tailc1315
terminea1325
foundc1394
stablish1447
terminate?a1475
tailyec1480
to lay down1493
ascertain1494
bishop1596
salve1596
pitch1610
assign1664
determinate1672
settle1733
to set at rest1826
definitize1876
cinch1900
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1879) VII. 275 (MED) The pope decrete that mater to be terminate [L. terminari] afore the kynge of Ynglonde and bischoppes.
1589 T. Nashe Anat. Absurditie sig. Biiiv Who made them so priuie to the secrets of the Almightie, that they should foretell the tokens of his wrath, or terminate the time of his vengeaunce.
1589 T. Nashe To Students in R. Greene Menaphon Epist. sig. A Which strange language of the firmament..makes vs that are not vsed to terminate heauens moueings, in the accents of any voice, esteeme of their triobulare interpreter, as of some Thrasonical huffe snuffe.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) To Terminate,..to determine, or decide.
4. † a. intransitive. To end in something as ultimate object; to be directed to something as object or end. Also with upon. Obsolete.† c. transitive. To be the object of (worship, thought, an action, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > intend [verb (intransitive)] > be directed towards (in thought or purpose)
wendOE
tent1551
terminate1587
bend1645
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)] > be conducive or tend to an end
pretend1402
stretchc1412
conduct1481
to conduce to1586
terminate1587
shapea1616
determine1651
minister1696
tend1936
1587 B. Yong tr. G. Boccaccio Amorous Fiammetta i. f. 7 I was nowe..kindled with variety of burning desires surcharged with new thoughts, and pricked with a thousand stinging cares, terminating [It. terminando] euerie ende of them in the imagined apprehension of my yong Gentleman.
1657 F. Roberts Mysterium & Medulla Bibliorum iii. iii. 319 Some of these Covenant-Priviledges tend to, and terminate in, Jesus Christ alone the Head of the Covenant, as only accomplishable in him.
1699 Bp. G. Burnet Expos. 39 Articles (1700) xxii. 240 In the Presence of the King, all Respects terminate in his Person.
1723 D. Waterland 2nd Vindic. Christ's Divinity xvi. 374 The same Act of worship, offered to Christ, terminates in God the Father.
1796 Theol. Mag. Sept. 16 His affections could no longer terminate on a private, separate interest.
1802 J. Franks Sacred Lit. 128 To understand this curse otherwise, than as terminating upon man, through the ground, would be..senseless.
1856 P. E. Dove Logic Christian Faith Introd. §6. 23 The other [says] ‘My thoughts all terminate in God’.
1909 O. Lodge Ether of Space App. iii. 153 The free portion [of ether]..is not amenable to either mechanical or electric forces. They are transmitted by it, but never terminate upon it.
b. transitive. To direct (an action, thought, worship, etc.) upon (also on, to, in) something as ultimate object or end. Cf. term n. 9d. Now rare.In sense 1599: to send (a person) to a place.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > intend [verb (transitive)] > direct actions, speech, etc., towards
fasteneOE
turna1200
redressa1393
intend?1504
convert1533
level1576
terminate1599
style1608
colline1674
intent1695
beam1956
target1964
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > send away or dismiss > to a place
license1598
terminate1599
1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 46 Leander..they terminated to the vnquiet, cold coast of Iseland.
1624 Bp. F. White Replie to Iesuit Fishers Answere 283 It is possible for ignorant people..to worship Images, not thinking actually of the Prototype: and in this case their worship is terminate in the verie Image.
1645 S. Rutherford Tryal & Triumph of Faith Ded. 12 The first opening of the eye-lids of God is terminated upon the breast of Christ.
1692 R. Bentley Matter & Motion cannot Think 8 The Vulgar..believed the very Statues of Gold and Silver and other Materials, to be God, and terminated their prayers in those Images.
1724 R. Welton Substance Christian Faith 188 They terminate their thoughts upon secondary instruments.
1747 J. Hervey Refl. Flower-garden 88 in Medit. among Tombs The niggardly Wretch, whose Aims are all turned inward, and meanly terminated upon Himself.
1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued II. iii. 318 God never terminates his views ultimately upon evil.
1804 T. Fessenden Theoretic Explan. Sci. Sanctity Introd. 10 They received as canonical, the five books of Moses, and intentionally terminated their worship on the true God.
1838 Evangelical Reg. Oct. 420 They have terminated their thoughts on them [sc. idols], conceived of nothing spiritual beyond this, and believed mind to be inherent in them.
1955 New Philos. 58 310 Swedenborg also testifies that spirits terminate their thoughts in the material ideas—the ideas of places and object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > intend [verb (transitive)] > be the object of
terminate1615
1615 J. Ainsworth Trying out of Truth 66 The Images of Christ & of saincts..doe terminate..the worship.
1656 H. Jeanes Mixture Scholasticall Divinity 81 This union..is wrought by the whole three persons, terminated unto the second person onely; that alone terminates suppositall, or personall dependance of the manhood.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. i. §3 An Idea..is nothing else but the objective being of a thing as it terminates the understanding.
1704 J. Norris Ess. Ideal World II. iii. 108 The ideas that terminate our thoughts (and which therefore are the only true objects of them).
1881 T. Harper Metaphysics of School II. v. iii. 504 The former is that which is principally and absolutely intended by the action, and by it the action is adequately terminated.
5. † a. transitive. To limit, restrict, confine to (or in); to circumscribe. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restriction or limitation > restrict or limit [verb (transitive)]
thringc1250
restrain1384
bound1393
abounda1398
limita1398
pincha1450
pin?a1475
prescribec1485
define1513
coarcta1529
circumscribe1529
restrict1535
conclude1548
limitate1563
stint1567
chamber1568
contract1570
crampern1577
contain1578
finish1587
pound1589
confine1597
terminate1602
noosec1604
border1608
constrain1614
coarctate1624
butta1631
to fasten down1694
crimp1747
bourn1807
to box in1845
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > quality of being restricted or limited > restrict or limit [verb (transitive)] > set a limit to
define1513
stint1513
appointa1533
terminate1602
span1623
bourn1807
1602 T. Lodge tr. Josephus Hist. Antiq. Iewes v. i, in tr. Josephus Wks. 107 No terme can terminate our kinred... For all of vs (both those that dwell on this side, and on the other side of Iordan) are the posteritie of Abraham.
a1628 J. Preston New Covenant (1629) v. 157 When a man will so enjoy these things,..that he can terminate his comfort in them.
1660 R. Coke Elements Power & Subjection 80 in Justice Vindicated Where it is not slavery, there the Masters powers is terminated to years, moneths, weeks, daies, or houres.
1673 H. Hickman Hist. Quinq-articularis 420 Both creation and generation,..are terminated to substances.
1884 T. Harper Metaphysics of School III. v. iv. 216 Neither let it be said, that reproductive operations are terminated to substance.
b. intransitive. To be limited or confined in or within specified bounds; to have its end or origin in; to extend no further.
ΚΠ
1606 R. Stock tr. W. Whitaker Answere E. Campian 8 If your crueltie had ended with the liuing, and had terminated in their deathes, it had been lesse.
1613 T. Jackson Eternall Truth Script. i. xxiv. §5 The like fearful earthquakes..fell out in Trajan's time at Antioch; but the harms [did] not terminate within her territories or the cities about her.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 130 The testimonies of ancient Writers..are but derivative, and terminate all in one Aristeus. View more context for this quotation
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) 19 My Understanding doth truly conclude that all this vicissitude of things must terminate in a first cause of things.
1742 W. Law Appeal to All that Doubt 189 All his [sc. Christ's] Conquests over this World, Sin, Death, and Hell, were not the Conquests of a single Person that terminated in himself.
1795 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. II. 585/1 Theory, a doctrine which terminates in the sole speculation or consideration of its object, without any view to the practice or application of it.
1885 S. S. Laurie Ethica ii. 8 A man is a complex of various feelings, the activity of some of which terminates in himself (only indirectly affecting his fellow-men).
1949 Rev. Metaphysics 2 44 The purpose of a machine does not terminate in itself, nor in the purpose of other machines.
2006 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 19 Oct. 46/1 Douglas has served only himself..so that any good he does will terminate in himself.
6.
a. intransitive. Of a process, event, period, etc.: to come to an end; to end, cease; to expire; to conclude, close (with something).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > be at an end [verb (intransitive)] > come to an end, terminate, or expire
to run outeOE
endOE
stintc1275
slakea1300
overpassc1350
determinec1374
overruna1393
dispend1393
failc1399
missa1400
to wear out, forth1412
stanchc1420
to come outa1450
terminea1450
expire?c1450
finish1490
conclude1593
upclose1603
terminate1608
to shut up1609
to wind off1650
stop1733
to fall in1771
close1821
to blaze out1884
outgive1893
to play out1964
1608 J. Day Humour out of Breath sig. E3 Come, th'art all enuy, feed vpon thy hate, This day our quest of loue shall terminate.
1647 Moderate Intelligencer No. 137. 1356 This Parliament shall Terminate next September.
1682 R. Saunders View of Soul 59 In all other creatures, their life terminates quickly after the beginning of any visible delirium in them.
1745 tr. H. Boerhaave Acad. Lect. Theory Physic IV. 288 Sleep therefore terminates when the external Senses begin to perform their proper Offices.
1789 J. Woodforde Diary 24 Mar. (1927) III. 91 If some remedy or other does not soon, very soon do good, it will terminate fatally to him.
1815 W. Wordsworth Poems II. 161 The sweetest notes must terminate and die.
1872 J. Yeats Techn. Hist. Commerce 375 The Middle Ages may be said to terminate with the invention of printing.
1902 Science 11 Apr. 570/1 His interest in the science cannot terminate with the pass-mark of the final college examination.
1951 Chambers's Jrnl. Oct. 611/2 The main religious ceremonies..eventually terminate with the bath and the fire-walk.
2015 Today (Singapore) (Nexis) 31 Oct. 10 Unfortunately, my loan terminates this year.
b. intransitive. To result in; = end v.1 5b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > result [verb (intransitive)]
followOE
sue?c1225
arisec1275
fallc1300
result?a1425
ensue1483
enfollow1485
issuea1500
rebounda1500
succeed1537
terminate1613
concludea1639
depend1655
eventuate1814
ultimatec1834
come1884
translate1919
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > be at an end [verb (intransitive)] > end in something
finish1490
terminate1613
land1679
1613 T. Lodge tr. Seneca Epist. cxxi, in tr. Seneca Wks. (1614) 481 To temperate desires and pleasures that should terminate in sorrow [L. voluptates ituras in dolorem].
1663 Let. 13 Feb. in Surrey Hearth Tax 1664 (1940) Introd. p. xix Raysing doubts and perplexities in the spirits of the people..must necessarily terminate in his Mats. disservice.
1710 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) VI. 620 There has been a 2d battle in Spain, which terminated in favour of King Charles.
1775 J. Bryant New Syst. (ed. 2) II. 308 The fate of Semiramis terminated in her being turned into a pigeon.
1825 W. Hazlitt Spirit of Age 275 An ingenious sophism might be raised upon it, to shew that the race of mankind will ultimately terminate in unity.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. I. 108 Whose miserable career will shortly terminate in a violent and shameful death.
1867 H. Macmillan Bible Teachings x. 204 A career of worldliness and sin terminates in impenitence and despair.
1931 Techn. Bull. U.S. Dept. Agric. No. 238. 20 Difficulties in breathing developed, which terminated in death from respiratory failure.
1942 J. E. Gillespie & A. Netboy Europe in Perspective xxiv. 581 Modern mechanical armaments..have enormously increased the tendency of diplomatic crises to terminate in war.
2015 B. R. Early Busted Sanctions iii. 43 The sanctions terminate in failure, or the sanctions terminate in success.
7.
a. transitive. To give a definite border or outline to (a visible object); to render distinct, define. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be or make visible [verb (transitive)] > make distinct
disshadow1610
unshade1611
terminate1747
revive1779
distinctify1877
deblur1971
1747 J. T. Desaguliers tr. W. J. 's Gravesande Math. Elements Nat. Philos. (ed. 6) II. v. xx. 244 For Paper, or a white Plane, being plac'd at a just Distance, the Image is terminated [L. terminatur] distinctly.
1766 B. Franklin in Philos. Trans. 1765 (Royal Soc.) 55 190 Distant objects appear distinct, their figures sharply terminated.
1874 Amer. Jrnl. Sc. & Arts 3rd Ser. 3 156 Instead of being sharply terminated on the less refrangible side and fading gradually away toward the blue, they were definitely bounded on both sides.
1998 U. Röhl & J. G. Ogg in G. F. Camoin & P. J. Davies Reefs & Carbonate Platforms 103/1 The clay layers are sharply terminated by a transgressive deepening.
b. transitive. To finish, complete (a task, a work of art, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > completing > complete (an action or piece of work) [verb (transitive)]
to make an endc893
afilleOE
endc975
fullOE
full-doOE
full-workOE
fullendOE
fullfremeOE
full-forthlOE
fillc1175
fulfilc1300
complec1315
asum1340
full-make1340
performa1382
finisha1400
accomplishc1405
cheve1426
upwindc1440
perfurnish?c1450
sumc1450
perimplish1468
explete?a1475
fullcome1477
consume1483
consomme1489
perimplenish1499
perfect1512
perfinish1523
complete1530
consummate1530
do1549
to run out1553
perfectionate1570
win1573
outwork1590
to bring about1598
exedifya1617
to do up1654
ratifyc1720
ultimate1849
terminate1857
1857 J. S. Harford Life Michael Angelo I. xi. 245 During this interval of calm and prosperity, he [sc. Michael Angelo] terminated two figures of slaves..in an incomparable style of art.
1883 D. H. Agnew Princ. & Pract. Surg. III. Pref. The third [volume]..terminates a task which has occupied..whatever moments of leisure have been at my command.
1976 Leonardo 9 273/2 At some point I terminate a painting and it assumes a life of its own.
2015 Irish Times 24 Dec. 6 It is good that Judge Gachon has completed his investigation but it's disappointing that he won't be there to terminate his work.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.n.a1500
v.?a1425