Topic: FINANCE
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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | terme 'edge, limit, end', from Latin terminus |
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term1 S1 W1
1 if you explain or describe something in terms of a particular fact or event, you are explaining or describing it only in relation to that fact or event
in terms of something
in terms of what/how/who etc 
Did the experiment find any differences in terms of what children learned?
Did the experiment find any differences in terms of what children learned?2 used to show that you are describing or considering a subject in a particular way or from a particular point of view
in general/practical/financial etc terms
in real/absolute terms (=accurate, true, or including any related changes) Rail fares have fallen 17 per cent in real terms.
Rail fares have fallen 17 per cent in real terms. in relative terms (=compared with other, similar things) Students have less money in relative terms, but spend more on books.
Students have less money in relative terms, but spend more on books.3 a word or expression with a particular meaning, especially one that is used for a specific subject or type of language
word
[countable] term of abuse/endearment/respect etc (=rude, loving, respectful etc language) The word 'communist' had become a term of abuse.
The word 'communist' had become a term of abuse.➔ a contradiction in terms
at contradiction (3)4 a fixed period of time during which someone does something or something happens
period of time
[countable] term in office (=the time someone spends doing an important job in government) It was always clear that Schmidt's third term in office would prove a difficult one.
It was always clear that Schmidt's third term in office would prove a difficult one.5 one of the three periods of time that the school or university year is divided into [↪ half-term]
school/university
[uncountable and countable] British EnglishSE6 the end of a particular period of time [↪ long-term, short-term]:
end
[singular, uncountable] technicalBF7 to accept an unpleasant or sad situation and no longer feel upset or angry about it : Counselling helped her come to terms with her grief.
come to terms with something
Counselling helped her come to terms with her grief.8
conditions
terms
[plural]a) the conditions that are set for an agreement, contract, arrangement etc :
on somebody's (own) terms (=according to the conditions that someone wants) He wanted our relationship to be only on his terms.
He wanted our relationship to be only on his terms.b) BFL the arrangements for payment that you agree to when you buy or sell something
reasonable/favourable/cheaper etc terms Some insurance companies offer very reasonable terms. This allowed tenant farmers to buy land on easy terms (=by paying small sums of money over a long period).
Some insurance companies offer very reasonable terms.This allowed tenant farmers to buy land on easy terms (=by paying small sums of money over a long period).9 if you are on good, bad etc terms with someone, you have a good, bad etc relationship with them
relationship
terms
[plural] be on good/bad/friendly etc terms (with somebody) He is barely on speaking terms with his father (=they are angry and almost never speak to each other).
He is barely on speaking terms with his father (=they are angry and almost never speak to each other).10 the subjects that a person or group of people agree to consider : the committee's terms of reference
terms of reference
formalthe committee's terms of reference11 one of the numbers or signs used in a mathematical calculation
number/sign
[countable] technicalHMWORD FOCUS: name WORD FOCUS: name
someone's first name: first name, given name especially AmE, Christian name
someone's family name: family name, last name, surname, maiden name (a woman's family name before she gets married)
the name between your first and last name: middle name
all of the words of someone's name: full name
when someone writes their name: signature, autograph (of a famous person)
a name used instead of someone's real name: nickname a short name used by someone's friends or family
pen name/pseudonym a name used by a writer
stage name the name used by an actor
false name, alias a name used especially by a criminal
under an assumed name using a false name in order to hide your identity
the name of a thing: title the name of a book, film, picture etc
common name the name for a plant, animal, substance etc used by ordinary people
scientific name the name used by scientists
term a word or phrase used in technical contexts
➔ See also name
WORD FOCUS: name someone's first name: first name, given name especially AmE, Christian name
someone's family name: family name, last name, surname, maiden name (a woman's family name before she gets married)
the name between your first and last name: middle name
all of the words of someone's name: full name
when someone writes their name: signature, autograph (of a famous person)
a name used instead of someone's real name: nickname a short name used by someone's friends or family
pen name/pseudonym a name used by a writer
stage name the name used by an actor
false name, alias a name used especially by a criminal
under an assumed name using a false name in order to hide your identity
the name of a thing: title the name of a book, film, picture etc
common name the name for a plant, animal, substance etc used by ordinary people
scientific name the name used by scientists
term a word or phrase used in technical contexts
➔ See also name
