TERM

, in Geometry, is the extreme of any magnitude, or that which bounds and limits its extent. So the Terms of a line, are points; of a superficies, lines; of a solid, superficies.

, of an equation, or of any quantity, in Algebra, are the several names or members of which it is composed, separated from one another by the signs + or -. So, the quantity ax + 2bc - 3ax², consists of the three Terms ax and 2bc and 3ax².

In an equation, the Terms are the parts which contain the several powers of the same unknown letter or quantity: for if the same unknown quantity be found in several members in the same degree or power, they shall pass but for one Term, which is called a compound one, in distinction from a simple or single Term. Thus, in the equation , the four terms are x³ and (―(a - 3b)).x² and acx and b³; of which the second Term (―(a - 3b)).x² is compound, and the other three are simple Terms.

, of a Product, or of a Fraction, or of a Ratio, or of a Proportion, &c, are the several quantities employed in forming or composing them. Thus, the Terms of the product ab, are a and b; of the fraction 5/8, are 5 and 8; of the ratio 6 to 7, are 6 and 7; of the proportion a : b :: 5 : 9, are a, b, 5, 9.

Terms are also used for the several times or seasons of the year in which the public colleges or universities, or courts of law, are open, or sit. Such are the Oxford and Cambridge Terms; also the Terms for the courts of King's-Bench, Common Pleas, and the Exchequer, which are the high courts of common law. But the high court of Parliament, the Chancery, and inferior courts, do not observe the Terms.—The rest of the year, out of Term-time, is called vacation.

There are four law Terms in the year; viz,

Hilary-Term, which, at London, begins the 23d day of January, and ends the 12th of February.

Easter-Term, which begins the 3d Wednesday after Easter-day, and ends on the Monday next after Ascension-day.

Trinity-Term, which begins the Friday next after Trinity-Sunday, and ends the 4th Wednesday after Trinity-Sunday.

Michaelmas-Term, which begins the 6th of November, and ends the 28th of November.

All these terms have also their returns, the days of which are expressed in the following table of synopsis.

Oxford Terms. These are four; which begin and end as below:

N. B. The Act is 1st Monday after the 6th of July. —When the day of the beginning or ending happens on a Sunday, the Terms begin or end the day after.

Cambridge-Terms. These are three, as below:

N. B. The Commencement is the 1st Tuesday in July. —There is no difference on account of the beginning or ending being Sunday. |

Scottish Terms. In Scotland, Candlemas Term begins January 23d, and ends February the 12th. Whitsuntide-Term begins May 25th, and ends June 15th. Lammas-Term begins July the 20th, and ends August the 8th. Martin<*>as-Term begins November the 3d, and ends November the 29th.

Irish Terms. In Ireland the Terms are the same as at London, except Michaelmas-Term, which begins October the 13th, and adjourns to November the 3d, and thence to the 6th.