United States, the terms to be observed by the tribunals of justice are prescribed by the statutes of Congress
and of the several States.
6. (Logic) The subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism,
each one of which is used twice.
The subject and predicate of a proposition are, after Aristotle, together called its terms or extremes.
Sir
W. Hamilton. The predicate of the conclusion is called the major term, because it is the most general, and the subject
of the conclusion is called the minor term, because it is less general. These are called the extermes; and
the third term, introduced as a common measure between them, is called the mean or middle term.
Thus in the following syllogism, —
Every vegetable is combustible; Every tree is a vegetable; Therefore every tree is combustible, -
combustible, the predicate of the conclusion, is the major term; tree is the minor term; vegetable is the
middle term.
7. A word or expression; specifically, one that has a precisely limited meaning in certain relations and
uses, or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or the like; as, a technical term. "Terms quaint of law."
Chaucer.
In painting, the greatest beauties can not always be expressed for want of terms.
Dryden. 8. (Arch.) A quadrangular pillar, adorned on the top with the figure of a head, as of a man, woman, or
satyr; — called also terminal figure. See Terminus, n., 2 and 3.
The pillar part frequently tapers downward, or is narrowest at the base. Terms rudely carved were
formerly used for landmarks or boundaries. Gwilt.
9. (Alg.) A member of a compound quantity; as, a or b in a + b; ab or cd in ab - cd.
10. pl. (Med.) The menses.
11. pl. (Law) Propositions or promises, as in contracts, which, when assented to or accepted by another,
settle the contract and bind the parties; conditions.
12. (Law) In Scotland, the time fixed for the payment of rents.
Terms legal and conventional in Scotland correspond to quarter days in England and Ireland. There
are two legal terms — Whitsunday, May 15, and Martinmas, Nov. 11; and two conventional terms —
Candlemas, Feb. 2, and Lammas day, Aug. 1. Mozley & W.
13. (Naut.) A piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail. J. Knowels.
In term,
in set terms; in formal phrase. [Obs.]
I can not speak in term.
Chaucer. —
Term fee (Law) (a), a fee by the term, chargeable to a suitor, or by law fixed and taxable in the
costs of a cause for each or any term it is in court. — Terms of a proportion (Math.), the four members
of which it is composed. — To bring to terms, to compel (one) to agree, assent, or submit; to force
(one) to come to terms. — To make terms, to come to terms; to make an agreement: to agree.